Minor Illness Flashcards
What is an URTI?
Infection of the nose and upper airways (nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx)
What are the symptoms of a URTI?
Blocked, runny nose sneezing, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, lethargy, could, mild fever
What would you advise a patient with an URTI ?
Paracetemol Ibruprofen Hydration Steam inhalation Saline nose drops
What is a chest infection?
A lower resp tract infection, pneumonia and bronchitis are the most common
Bronchitis is normally viral and pneumonia is usually bacterial
Who are chest infections common in?
Young children and elderly Smokers Pregnant women LTC- asthma, CF, IHD, DM, kidney disease and liver disease Weakened immune system
What is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes
How can you determine whether someone with tonsillitis needs antibiotics or not?
Center/fever pain score Takes into account... Fever (>38 degrees) Tonsillar exudates Absence of cough Lymphadenopathy Symptom onset less than 3 days (rapid attendance)
What do you have to score on fever lain score to give antibiotics?
2 or 3 consider a delayed script
3 or more give antibiotics
Should give penicillin V a 10 day course
How do you treat sinusitis?
Normally self limiting
If symptoms for less than ten days then don’t give antibiotics
If more than ten days then give high dose steroid nasal spray
If the symptoms are more than ten days and it is likely a bacterial cause then give delayed or immediate antibiotics
Penicillin V for 5 days
What are the differentials for epigastric pain and nausea?
Heartburn/GORD Peptic ulcer Stomach cancer Cardiac History of Alcohol/NSAIDS/haematemesis/stress
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Compression of the collection of nerve roots at the base of the spine due to a central disc prolapse, trauma, HAEMATOMA
May lead to an irreversible neurological damage
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?
Saddle anaesthesia
Bilateral sciatica
Loss anal tone
Faecal incontinence
Urinary retention
Severe and progressive neurological deficits legs
Emergency decompression with 48 hours is needed
What should be done in a patient with localised back pain?
Following trauma requires imaging to evaluate instability and involvement of spinal cord
What is dis Discitis/spinal epidural abscess?
This is spinal infection
It presents with localised tenderness, severe progressive pain and a decreased range of movement.
What are some red flags that may indicate discitis?
IVDU
Fever, sweats, malaise
TB
DM/ immunosuppresion
How does mechanical back pain present?
Pain is worse during activity and is relieved by rest
Not associated with sciatica, leg weakness, claudication, systemic upset
Acute episodes are precipitated by bending, lifting or straining
What is characteristic of mechanical back pain?
Pain resolves after a few weeks but persistent low grade symptoms are relatively common
It is important to keep active and use analgesia
What specific area of pain would you see in the following dermatomes in sciatica…
L4, L5, S1
L4- anterior thigh, anterior knee, medial shin
L5- lateral thigh, lateral calf, dorsum of foot
S1- posteriorly thigh, posterior calf, heel, sole of foot
Paraesthesia at end of nerve route
