Minor Illnesses Flashcards
How does an influenza viral infection present?
Sore throat, rhinnorhea, blocked nose, fever, cough, malaise, fatigue, generalised myalgia (aches and pains). Usually resolves in 5 days - however fatigue and weakness can remain for longer
A lady calls to discuss her child. She thinks he has a throat infection. What symptoms may he present with?
Sore throat, tonsils exudate, pain on swallowing, fever.
You are a GP and are supervising students doing parallel consultations. A student confidently diagnoses acute otitis media. What would be present in the history and examination?
History - unilateral otalgia, fever, otorrhea which relieves otalgia, hearing loss. On examination -TM is erythematous and convex appearing/bulging. If sutured. pus may fill ear canal
How does a complicated UTI differ to the presentation of an uncomplicated UTI?
Complicated would be a man, child or pregnant woman. Uncomplicated only includes a woman who is not pregnant.
Describe the typical presentation of a UTI
Dysuria, nocturne, back pain, increased urinary frequency, cloudy utrine, (offensive smelling)
How would the presentation of thrush distinguish from BV?
Thrush - itchy vulva, creamy white discharge that is odourless. (cottage cheese like), dyspareunia.
BV - watery, grey discharge with a typical fishy smell. Does not cause soreness or itching in the vagina.
How does a chest infection present?
Cough - usually productive, purulent sputum, fever, dyspnea, wheeze, pleuritic chest pain.
A lady presents with numbness in her lower limbs. What symptoms/signs would you ask about to rule out cauda equina?
Saddle anaesthesia, bilateral sciatica, painless urinary retention, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence.
A man presents with burning in his chest. What further symptoms would direct you towards a Dx of GORD?
Reflux of acid. Chest pain. Acidic taste in the mouth/oral cavity. Sore throat. Cough. Heartburn. Brought on by specific foods - alcohol, citrus fruits, coffee, spicy food
A woman attends because she wants to be put on oral contraception. You find out she does have migraines. How would these migraines present?
SITE: Unilateral - so only one side of the head. Temporal or frontal. QUALITY: Throbbing or pulsating in nature. INTENSITY: Disabling. TIME: continue for a long period of time 4-72 hrs. AGG: lack of sleep, periods, stress. REL: oral paracetamol, ibuprofen. SECSYMPT: nausea, photophobia, flashing lights, tingling, numbness, dizzy
Management to advise for a common cold?
Supportive - analgesia such as 500mg paracetamol and 200mg ibuprofen, OTC.
Fluids
Rest
Ddx for common cold presentation ?
Covid, influenza, sinus infection
Complications of common cold?
Can lead to exacerbations of asthma/copd.
Can get secondary infections - pneumonia, sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis
RF for influenza?
Over 65
COPD, asthma
Weak resp muscles - in MS.
Management for viral throat infection?
Symptom relief - painkillers.
salt water gargle
Fluids
Rest
Management for bacterial throat infection
Symptom relief - painkillers. salt water gargle Fluids Rest. Safety net - no improvement within 3-7 days = may need abx If have v high fever - may need abx.
Ddx for throat infection
Glandular fever
Pharyngitis
Who is at risk of getting throat infection?
Children
Immunocompromised
Complications of throat infection?
Quinsy’s abscess (peritonsillar abscess)
Rheumatic fever
Retropharyngeal abscess