Paediatric Respiratory Medicine Flashcards
What are common viral infective agents in the upper respiratory tract?
- adenovirus
- influenza A, B
- Para’flu I, II
- RSV
- rhinovirus
What are common bacterial infective agents of the upper respiratory tract?
- H influenzae
- M catarrhalis
- Mycoplasma
- S aureus
- Streptococci
- B haemolytic, S pyogenes
- Non haemolytic, S pneumoniae
What is an important feature about the management of most upper respiratory tract infections?
they are self limiting and so you should not be tempted to jump in to treatment - REVIEW
How long can an upper respiratory tract infection last?
it is very common (80%) for children to still have symptoms after 1 week and still common for some to have symptoms after 2 weeks
What is rhinitis and how is it managed?
- inflammation of the nasal tissue
- condition of winter months
- self-limiting, so no medications, just review if necessary (parents can do this)
How would you identify otitis media on otoscopy?
- erythema
- bulging drum
How do children get otitis media? What is a complication of it? How should we manage it?
- is a common, self limiting condition
- usually primary viral infection and then get secondary infection with pneumococcus/H. influenzae
- may in some instances result in rupture of ear drum
- DO NOT prescribe antibiotics
- may offer pain relief if ears very sore
How can we tell if tonsillitis/pharyngitis is viral or bacterial in nature? What should we do to treat it?
- throat swab
- you can either wait for results from throat swab to come back and then review the patient or
- you can give 10 days penicillin (but not amoxycillin in case it is cause by EBV)
What causes croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)?
tends to be parainfluenza I
What are features of croup?
- it is common
- the child is usually well
- lots of coryza (inflammation of mucous lining of nose)
- stridor
- hoarse voice
- ‘barking’ cough
- cough can often begin in the evening
How do we treat croup and when will it resolve?
- oral dexamethasone
- normally resolves over 2-3 days
What causes epiglottitis?
H. influenzae Type B
What are features of epiglottitis?
- rare
- child is systemically unwell
- stridor, drooling
What treatment is required immediately for a child with epiglottitis?
intubation and antibiotics
What do you fundamentally need to ensure about child before saying that you will offer no treatment other than review?
is the child:
- hydrated?
- oxygenated?
- well nourished?
What is tracheitis?
- lower respiratory tract infection
- ‘croup that does not get better’ i.e. still there >48 hours later
What causes tracheitis?
staph or strep secondary to viral infection in croup
What are features of tracheitis?
- biphasic stridor
- fever
- sick child
How should tracheitis be treated?
with augmentin
What causes (bacterial) bronchitis?
endobronchial infection with Haemophilus or pneumococcus
What are features of (bacterial) bronchitis?
- very common
- child is very well, parents are worried
- have loose rattly cough with URTI that may have been going on for several months (due to gathering several colds)
- post-pertussive vomit
- tends to be self-limiting
- chest free of wheeze/ crepitations
What mechanism underlies (bacterial) bronchitis?
- the cause isn’t really an infection - reduced mucociliary clearance due to damage by virus or from minor airway malacia
- infection is secondary
What is the natural history of bacterial bronchitis?
- follows URTI
- lasts 4 weeks
- first winter bad cough
- second winter better cough
- third winter cough fine
What are the 3 criteria to diagnose persistent bacterial bronchitis?
- wet cough
- lasts more than a month
- remission with antibiotics
What are red flag symptoms of respiratory infection with bacterial bronchitis?
- Age <6 mo, >4yr
- Static weight
- Disrupts child’s life
- Associated SOB (when not coughing)
- Acute admission
- Other co-morbidities (neuro/gastro)