OTC ilness

Question 1

What causes glandular fever ?

infectious mononucleosis

Answer 1

Epstein-Barr virus

Question 2

What are the symptoms of glandular fever ?

Answer 2

Fever.
Lymphadenopathy.
Sore throat 
 palatal petechiae 
Non-specific rash — this may be macular, petechial, urticarial, or erythema multiforme-like, or a maculopapular rash that presents after being treated with amoxicillin.
Splenomegaly

Question 3

How long glandular fever last ?

Answer 3

Symptoms usually last for 2–4 weeks.

Tiredness is common and is often the last symptom to resolve.

Question 4

What is glandular fever transmission ?

Answer 4

The incubation period of glandular fever is about 4–7 weeks [Lennon, 2015]. The disease is contagious during the incubation period and while symptoms are present; some people may be contagious for as long as 18 months after having the infection.

Question 5

Streptococcus pyogenes, is the most common bacterial cause of sore throat and may cause which of the following sore throat conditions ?

Answer 5

pharyngitis, tonsillitis, or scarlet fever

Question 6

What is tonsillitis treatment ?

Answer 6

phenoxymythepenicillin or clarithromycin

Question 7

what are the symptoms of measles ?

Answer 7

-cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
-sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light, conjunctivitis
-a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40C
small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks (koplick spots)
-red-brown blotchy rash will appear. This usually starts on the head or upper neck before spreading outwards to the rest of the body.

Question 8

How long measles last ?

Answer 8

usually pass in about 7 to 10 days without causing any further problems.

Question 9

When can children return to school with measles ?

Answer 9

To stay away from school or work for at least 4 days after the initial development of the rash.
The person is infectious from when symptoms first appear (around four days before the rash appears) to four days after the onset of the rash. Measles is an airborne infection that is spread by droplets from coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions.

Question 10

Measles incubation period ?

Answer 10

Measles has an incubation period of about 10 days, with a further 2–4 days of prodromal symptoms (including malaise, fever, and cough) before the characteristic skin rash develops.

Question 11

What are the symptoms of mumps?

Answer 11

• painful swellings in the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands)- hamster face
• Other symptoms of mumps include headaches, joint pain, and a high temperature, which may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

Question 12

How to advise patients regarding not spreading mumps to others?

Answer 12

avoiding school or work for at least 5 days after your symptoms first develop ( parotitis)

Question 13

What is mumps incubation period ?

Answer 13

16-18 days (range 12–25 days).
It is most infectious from around 1–2 days before onset of symptoms, to about 9 days afterwards, although it may be asymptomatic in 15–20% of people.

Question 14

When will mumps resolve?

Answer 14

resolve over 1–2 weeks, with no long-term consequences and antibiotic treatment is not required.

Question 15

What are the symptoms of rubella ? ( German measles )

Answer 15

The main symptom of rubella is a red or pink spotty rash.
The rash takes 2 to 3 weeks to appear after getting rubella.
The rash starts behind the ears and spreads to the head, neck, and body.
The rash can be hard to see on dark skin, but might feel rough or bumpy.
You might have lumps (swollen glands) in your neck or behind your ears.
Rubella can also cause:
aching fingers, wrists or knees
a high temperature of 38C or above
coughs
sneezing and a runny nose
headaches
a sore throat
sore, red eyes

Question 16

How long rubella last ?

Answer 16

Rubella usually gets better in about 1 week.
Stay off nursery, school, or work for 5 days after the rash appears.
Also try to avoid close contact with pregnant women.
Rubella is infectious from 1 week before the symptoms start and for 4 days after the rash first appears.

Question 17

What are the symptoms of scarlet fever ?

Answer 17

first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature of 38C or above, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).
A rash appears a few days later.The rash feels like sandpaper and starts on the chest and tummy. On lighter skin it looks pink or red. On darker skin it can be more difficult to see, but you can still feel it.
A white coating also appears on the tongue. This peels, leaving it red and swollen (“strawberry tongue”).
The rash does not appear on the face, but the cheeks can be flushed.

Question 18

How long scarlet fever lasts?

Answer 18

Scarlet fever lasts for around a week.
You’re infectious up to 7 days before the symptoms start until 24 hours after you take the first antibiotic tablets.
Children with scarlet fever should stay off nursery or school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics or, if not on antibiotics, until their fever is gone.

Question 19

How should scarlet fever be treated ?

Answer 19

• phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) four times a day for 10 days first-line.
• If phenoxymethylpenicillin is not tolerated or compliance is a concern, consider prescribing amoxicillin as an alternative
• Prescribe azithromycin once a day for 5 days for people with a true penicillin allergy.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth ?

Answer 20

The first signs of hand, foot and mouth disease can be:
a sore throat
a high temperature, above 38C
not wanting to eat.
After a few days mouth ulcers and a rash will appear.
Ulcers appear in the mouth and on the tongue. These can be painful and make it difficult to eat or drink.
Red spots, which develop into blisters, usually appear on the hands and feet.
The blisters are grey in the centre and can be painful.

Question 21

How long hand, foot and mouth lasts ?

Answer 21

usually gets better in 7 to 10 days.

Question 22

How to stop hand, foot and mouth disease spreading?

Coxsackie A16 virus,

Answer 22

Keep your child off school or nursery while they’re feeling unwell.
But as soon as they’re feeling better, they can go back to school or nursery. There’s no need to wait until all the blisters have healed.
Keeping your child off for longer is unlikely to stop the illness spreading.

Question 23

What are the symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome ?

parvovirus B19

Answer 23

Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) is common in children and should clear up on its own within 3 weeks.
a high temperature of 38C or more
a runny nose and sore throat
a headache
A bright red rash may appear on both cheeks. It may look as if the cheeks have been slapped. Adults do not usually get the rash.
A few days later, a lighter-coloured rash may appear on the chest, arms and legs. The skin is raised and can be itchy.

Question 24

How long slapped cheek syndrome lasts ?

Answer 24

The cheek rash normally fades within 2 weeks.
The body rash also fades within 2 weeks, but sometimes comes and goes for up to a month, especially if you’re exercising, hot, anxious or stressed.
Adults might also have joint pain and stiffness. This can continue for many weeks, even after the other symptoms have gone.

Question 25

How slapped cheek syndrome is spread?

Answer 25

You can only spread it to other people before the rash appears.
You do not have to stay off work or school after the rash appears.Let the school or teacher know if your child has slapped cheek syndrome.