Minor Illness Flashcards
State some symptoms of common cold
- Rhinitis
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sinusitis
- Ear pain
Discuss how you can distinguish between common cold and flu
Influenza is usually a self-limiting illness, however in those who are at risk of increased complications you can offer treatment.
- State some examples of who is at increased risk
- What medicaiton would you give
- At risk groups: immunocompromised, chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, diabetes, over 65yrs, under 6 months, prenant, CKD, morbid obesity
- Medication:
- First line= Oral oseltamivir
- Second line= Inhaled zanamivir
For conjunctivitis, state:
- What it is
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Inflammation of conjunctiva (can be due to infection but not always e.g. may be allergic)
- Causes:
- Viral
- Bacterial (e.g. can be due to STI)
- Allergic
- Foreign body
- Symptoms:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Discharge, crusting of lids, stuck together upon wakening
- Management:
- First line= self management
- If bacterial & severe offer topical antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol (NOTE: even bacterial is self-limiting so may offer delayed course of topical antibiotics)
For a stye, state:
- What it is
- Symptoms
- Management
- Small abscess (painful collection of pus) on the eyelid and is an infection at the root of an eyelash; infection usually due to Staphylococcus aureus
- Symptoms:
- Small red spot on edge of eyelid
- Visible puss in spot
- Management:
- Warm compress held against eye
- Do not pop
- Avoid makeup & contact lenses
- Advise if not getting better or eyelid becomes red or swollen to contact GP
What is an alternative name for a meibommian cyst?
Chalazion
For a meibommian cyst/chalazion, state:
- What it is
- Symptoms
- Management
- Inflammatory granuloma caused by obstruction of meibommian gland in eyelid
- Symptoms:
- Loclaised eyelid swelling
- Tender or non tender swelling
- +/- mild conjunctivitis
- Management:
- Warm compress
- Information leaflet- how to massage after warm compress application
- Might give some topical chloramphenicol if moderate/severe conjuncitivis also suspected
For blepharitis, state:
- What it is
- Symptoms
- Management
- Blepharitis is an inflammatory eyelid condition caused by chronic staphylococcal infection and malfunction of the meibomian (lipid) glands. It can cause secondary conjunctivitis and dry eye and occasionally small corneal ulcers.
- Symptoms:
- Red eyes
- Gritty/sore eye
- Crusting on lashes
- Management:
- Eyelid hygiene
- Warm compress
- Topical chloramphenicol if moderate/severe conjunctivitis
- What is orbital cellulitis?
- Remind yourself of difference between pre and post orbital cellulitis
- Discuss management of pre and post orbital cellulitis
- Infection of soft tissue of orbit
- Pre= infection of soft tissues anterior to orbital septum. Post= infection of soft tissues posterior to orbital septum
- Managment:
- Pre: oral co-amoxiclav and review in eye clinic in 48hr
- Post: admit to hospital for IV antibiotics
Compare symptoms and signs of pre- and post- orbital cellulitis
What is an aphthous ulcer?
Describe the 3 types of aphthous ulcer
Aphthous ulcers are oral ulcers. Three types:
- Minor: <1cm
- Major: >1cm- often leave scar
- Herpetiform: pinhead sized uclers that are grouped together- very painful
State some potential causes of aphthous ulcers
- Trauma
- Smoking cessation
- Anxiety
- Fe, folate, B12 deficiency
- Crohn’s
- Cancer
Discuss the management of aphthous ulcers
Mostly self limiting therefore management is:
- Advice: avoid spicy foods, acidic fruit drinks, wash mouth with salt water
- OTC analgesics e.g. bonjela
- Topical cortiosteroids if causing lot of pain, not resolving
- If infected, topical abx
For scabies, discuss:
- What it is
- Symptoms
- Whether it is contagious
- Management
- Scabies is an intensely itchy skin infestation caused by the human parasite Sarcoptes scabiei
- Symptoms:
- Pruritis
- Linear burrows (grey irregular tracks)
- Erythematous papules often found in interdigital webspaces
- Nodules (violet in colour and very itchy)- common on penis and scrotum in men
- Highly contagious
- Management:
- Permethrin 5% cream
- Advice such as all close contacts should be treated (even if asymptomatic) wash clothes at high temperatures