Other respiratory infection Flashcards
Describe the clinical presentation of bronchiolitis.
Presents in winter in first or second year of life.
Presents with fever, cough and wheeze.
In severe cases - grunting and hypoxia.
What are some of the complications of bronchiolitis?
Respiratory failure
Cardiac failure
(These are more common in prematurity or in children with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac disease)
What is the causal virus in bronchiolitis?
> 90% of cases due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus
How is bronchiolitis confirmed in the lab?
PCR from nasopharyngeal swab.
What is the treatment for bronchiolitis?
Supportive therapy.
What is Chlamydia trachomatis?
An STI which can cause infantile pneumonia. This is diagnosed using PCR on the urine of mother or nasal swab in child.
What is the causal bacteria in acute epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenzae - small gram negative bacillus.
How is acute epiglottitis diagnosed?
Blood culture
What is the treatment for acute epiglottitis?
Transfer to ITU and ceftriaxone
Why should care be taken when doing invasive investigation in child with suspected epiglottitis?
Touching epiglottis with instruments may exacerbate infection or block airway.
What is the causal bacteria in pertussis (whooping cough)?
Bordetella pertussis
What is whooping cough?
Acute tracheobronchitis giving cold like symptoms for two weeks with a distinctive cough.
How is whooping cough diagnosed?
Pernasal swab (charcoal agar) Serology
What is the most common cause of fungal chest infection?
Apergillus fumigatus
