Minor Illnesses Flashcards
What is fifth disease ?
Or slapped cheek
They may get a pink or red lace like rash on their arms. This rash comes and goes and ma spread to their legs, trunk and buttocks.
It is caused by an airborne virus called parvovirus B19.
What causes the common cold ?
Rhinoviruses
Influenza
what are the clinical features of a common cold ?
Sneezing
Dry sore throat
Rhinorrhoea
Headache
What are some complications of a common cold ?
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Pneumonia
What are the treatment options of the common cold ?
No specific treatment
Decongestants
Antihistamines
Analgesics
What is a cough ?
Non specific symptom and can be described as a forced expulsive manoeuvre usually against a close epiglottis with an associated sound.
What are some common airway irritants causing a cough ?
Smoke
Dust
Dandruff
Mucous
Infections
Allergens
Chemicals
What are some causes of an active cough ?
Viral URTI
Asthma
Pneumonia
Acute bronchitis
Bronchiectasis
COPD
What are some causes of a chronic cough ?
Asthma
Bronchitis
Bronchiectasis
CF
Use of ACEi
Smoking
What is important in to determine in the treatment of a cough ?
If it is life-threatening ( foreign body aspiration, pneumonia or PE ) or not ( URTI, allergy exposure )
When having a cough what are some features that patients may have which increase the risk of complications ?
Having a comorbidity
Older than 65
Having diabetes, congestive HF
Prematurely born children
What is otitis media ?
An inflammation of the middle ear sometimes associated with an upper respiratory tract infection
When should antibiotic treatment be offered for otitis media ?
Offer oral antibiotics to children with otitis media who are systemically unwell and to those at high risk of complications because of pre-existing comorbidity
What is acute mastoiditis ?
The result of extension of acute otitis media into the mastoid air cells with an accompanying suppuration and bone necrosis which may result in extra dural and subperiosteal abscesses.
What are the symptoms of acute mastoiditis ?
Earache, persistent and throbbing
A creamy, often profuse ear discharge
Increasing deafness
What are some signs of acute mastoiditis ?
Pyrexial and ill looking
Tenderness over the mastoid antrum
Pinna may be pushed down and forward
Tympanic membrane is either red or bulging or perforated
Conductive deafness
What is seen in some investigations for acute mastoiditis ?
Raised WCC especially neutrophils
Opacity and air coalescence seen on mastoid radiograph
Abscesses
What is the treatment of acute mastoiditis ?
Antibiotics IV
The aim is to drain the mastoid antrum and air cells without touching the middle ear, ossicles or external meatus - post-aural incision
What are some clinical features of pharyngitis ?
Sore throat
Dysphagia
Malaise
Redness
What are some causes of pharyngitis ?
Viral infections including flu and measles
EBV - glandular fever
Scarlet fever
Typhoid fever
What is the management of pharyngitis ?
Analgesia
If feverPAIN score is higher than 4 or 5 consider antibiotics
What are the complications of pharyngitis ?
Bacterial pharyngitis may lead to the development of peritonsillar or parapharyngeal abscess
What are some clinical features of tonsillitis ?
Sore throat
Otalgia
Headache and malaise
What is seen on examination in tonsillitis ?
Pyrexial
Enlarged tonsils - exuding pus
Inflammation of pharyngeal mucosa
Enlarged and tender cervical lymph nodes
What are some differentials for tonsillitis ?
Infectious mononucleosis
Scarlet fever
Diphtheria
What are some complications of tonsillitis ?
Otitis media
Peritonsillar abscess
Pulmonary infections
Acute nephritis
What is a UTI ?
Urinary tract infection is the presence and multiplication of micro-organisms in one or more structures of urinary tract with organisms invading the surrounding tissue.
What are some clinical features of a lower UTI ?
Dysuria, frequency, urgency and a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
Lower abdo pain
Haematuria
What are some clinical features of upper UTI’s ?
Loin pain
Flank tenderness
Fever
Rigors
What are some risk factors for developing a UTI ?
Diabetes mellitus
Pregnancy
Genitourinary malformation renal stones
What are some investigations for a UTI ?
Urine dipstick
Urine microscopy, culture
What is the management for an uncomplicated UTI in woman ?
Consider a back up antibiotic prescription -
Review antibiotics after results return
First line - nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim
What is the management of UTI’s in men ?
Send midstream urine for culture and susceptibility
Immediate antibiotic treatment should be offered
Choice of antibiotics : trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin
What is candidiasis ?
An infection with the yeast candida albicans
It is a normal commensal in the GI tract, mouth and vagina but not on the skin
What is used to determine whether a patient with pneumonia is treated at home or in a hospital ?
Clinical judgement supported by the CURB-65 score
What is antibiotics are given for a community acquired pneumonia ?
First line - Amoxicillin 500mg 3 x a day
Doxycycline or clarithromycin are alternatives