Paediatrics - infectious disease Flashcards
What criteria can be used to judge how ill a child with an infection is?
Nice traffic light system for the unwell child
What criteria are included in the traffic light system for the unwell child?
- Colour
- Activity
- Respiratory
- C/H circulation/ hydration
- Other
What are the green, amber and red criteria for colour?
- Green = normal
- Amber = pallor (reported by carer)
- Red = mottled/ blue/ extremely pale
What are the green, amber and red criteria for activity?
- Green = normal
- Amber = difficult to wake, decreased activity
- Red = does not stay awake/ does not wake up, inconsolable
What are the green, amber and red criteria for respiratory?
- Green = RR < 50
- Amber = RR > 50 (if 6-12 months) or > 40 (if 12+ months), SpO2 < 95, nasal flaring
- Red = grunting, RR > 60, severe chest indrawing
What are the green amber and red criteria for circulation/ hydration?
- Green = moist mucous membrane, normal skin
- Amber = tachycardia, CRT > 3 seconds, dry MM, reduced urine/ feeding
- Red = reduced skin turgor
What are the amber and red criteria for ‘other’?
- Amber = 5 day fever, 3-6 month > 39 degrees, rigors, swelling/ non-weight bearing joint
- Red = <3months >38 degrees, NBP rash, status epilepticus
What is the management for children green on the traffic light system for unwell children?
Safety netting
What is the management for children amber on the traffic light system for unwell children?
Assess F2F to judge need fro admission
What is the management for children red on the traffic light system for unwell children?
Urgent admission
What is a risk score for sepsis in children (used to predict mortality)?
qSOFA:
* RR > 22
* GCS < 15
* BP < 100
What are some typical investigations used investigate children with infections (6)?
- FBC
- Blood culture
- Urine culture
- CRP
- LP
- CXR
What is Kawasaki disease?
Systemic medium vessel vasculitis
Who is typically affected by Kawasaki disease (2)?
- Under 5 years
- Asian (Japanese/ Korean)
What are the signs/ symptoms of Kawasaki (6)?
- Persistent high fever for 5 days
- Conjunctivitis
- Rash - erythematous maculopapular
- Adenopathy
- Strawberry tongue
-
Hands + feet desquamation
CRASH
What are some findings on bloods for kawasaki disease (3)?
- Raised ESR
- Raised WCC
- Raised platelets
raised LFTs
What is a significant complication of Kawasaki?
Coronary artery aneurysms
What is an important investigation to request for those with Kawasaki?
Echo (look for coronary artery aneurysms)
How is Kawasaki treated (2)?
- IVIg (reduce risk of CAA)
- Aspirin (reduce risk of thrombosis)
What are the 3 stages of Kawasaki disease?
- Acute (most unwell with fever + rash, 1-2 weeks)
- Subacute (desquamation, CAA, 2-4 weeks)
- Convalescent stage (Sx settle, 2-4 weeks)
What is a risk when giving aspirin to children?
Reyes syndrome
What is reyes syndrome and what are the symptoms (3)?
Neurological disease:
* Vomiting
* Seizures/ LOC
* Personality changes
What are the signs/ symptoms of varicella zoster virus (4)?
- Maculo-papular with vesicles (blisters) rash
- Fever
- Itch
- General fatigue
What is the progression of the chicken pox rash?
Macularpapular rash –> vesicles –> pop + crust over
Where does the rash in chicken pox often start?
Chest/ face
What is the incubation of chicken pox?
3 weeks
When is the infectious period for chicken pox?
4 days before rash –> 5 days after (or when all lesions have crusted over)
How is chicken pox treated?
Supportive - can give aciclovir
What must not be given to those with chicken pox?
NSAIDs (can precipitate superinfection/ necrotising fascitis)
What are some complications of VZV/ chicken pox (4)?
- Bacterial superinfection
- Shingles/ Ramsey hunt
- Encephalitis
- Dehydration
What is shingles?
VZV (also known as herpes zoster virus) lies dormant in the sensory dorsal root ganglia and reactivate later in life (usually if immunosuppressed)
What is Ramsey hunt syndrome?
VZV lies dormant in facial nerve and causes facial drooping
How can Ramsey hunt and bells palsy be differentiated?
Otoscopy (may reveal changes to tympanic membrane in Ramsey hunt)
How can itching caused by chicken pox be treated?
Chlorphenamine (antihistamine)
What six diseases have traditionally caused an eruptive widespread rash (‘viral exanthema’)?
- First disease = measles
- Second disease = scarlet fever
- Third disease = rubella
- Fourth disease = dukes disease
- Fifth disease = parvovirus B19
- Sixth disease = roseola
What are the signs/ symptoms of measles (5)?
- Maculopapular rash
- Fever
- Cough
- Conjunctivits
- Coryzal Sx
What is a pathognomonic feature of measles?
Koplik spots (found on buccal mucosa)
Where does a measles rash classically start?
On face behind the ears
What are some complications of measles (5)?
- Otitis media
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
- Hearing/ vision loss
- Meningitis/ encephalitis
What is another complication of measles that may occur several years after infection?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
How can measles be treated?
Give MMR within 72 hours of Sx
How is measles diagnosed?
Serology testing (IgM + G) > 72 hours
PCR swab <72 h from onset
What causes scarlet fever?
Group A strep (strep pyogenes)
What is the underlying cause of scarlet fever?
Exotoxin B,C,F production (from GAS strains)
What does scarlet fever often start as?
Tonsilitis
What are the signs/ symptoms of scarlet fever (6)?
- Rough “sandpaper” rash
- Strawberry tongue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Lymphadenopathy
- Lethargy
What age group does scarlet fever usually occur in?
Under 10 years
Where does the rash in scarlet fever typically start?
On chest
How is scarlet fever treated?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) - 10 days
What are some complications of scarlet fever (3)?
- Rheumatic fever
- Post strep glomerulonephritis
- Abscess (tonsillar)
How can scarlet fever be diagnosed?
If clinical uncertainty a throat swab can be taken
What are the signs/ symptoms of rubella (6)?
- Erythematous macular rash
- Lymphadenopathy (behind ears + neck)
- Coryzal Sx
- Fever
- Arthritis
- Sore throat
How long is the incubation period for rubella?
2 weeks
How long does the rash typically last in rubella?
3 days
How is rubella diagnosed?
Serology testing (IgG)
What must children with rubella avoid?
Pregnant women (very dangerous for them)
What are some complications of rubella (2)?
- Thrombocytopenia
- Encephalitis
What is dukes disease?
Not associated with a particular virus or bacteria, more of a historic term. It is likely a non-specific viral rash
What is parvovirus B19 also known as?
Slapped cheek syndrome
What are the signs/ symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome (5)?
Starts with:
* Fever
* Coryzal Sx
* Muscle aches
then:
* Bright red rash on cheeks
then:
* Reticular (net-like) rash spreads to trunk
How is slapped cheek managed?
Symptoms usually very mild - self limiting illness
Who is at particular risk of parvovirus B19?
Those with anaemic blood disorders e.g. SSD, thalassaemia
these patients should receive serology testing, FBC, reticulocyte count
When is slapped cheek infectious?
Prior to the rash forming
What are some complications of slapped cheek (2)?
- Aplastic anaemia (those with pre-existing anaemias affected)
- Encephalitis/ meningitis
What causes roseola?
- Human herpes virus 6
- Human herpes virus 7
What are the signs/ symptoms of roseola (5)?
- Very high fever for 3-5 days (40 degrees)
- Coryzal Sx
- Sore throat
- Lymphadenopathy
- Rash (on arms, legs, trunk) after fever settles
What is a feature of the rash in roseola?
It is not itchy
What are some complications of roseola (4)?
- Febrile convulsions
- Myocarditis
- Thrombocytopenia
- Guillian barre
What age is typically affected by roseola?
Infants (2-3)
How is mumps spread?
Respiratory droplets through the air
What is the typical incubation period of mumps?
14-25 days
What are the signs/ symptoms of mumps (2)?
- Initial flu like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, headache, lethargy)
- Parotid gland swelling (parotitis)
What are some complications of mumps (3)?
- Orchitis (testicle pain/ swelling)
- Pancreatitis
- Meningitis
How is mumps diagnosed?
PCR testing on saliva swab
What causes hand foot and mouth disease?
Coxsackie A virus
What is the typical intubation period of HFM?
3-5 days
What are the signs/ symptoms of HFM (3)?
- URTI Sx
then: - Mouth ulcers
- Red blistering spots on hand + feet
How should HFM disease be managed?
Supportive management only
What are some complications of HFM (3)?
- Dehydration
- Bacterial superinfection
- Encephalitis
What causes impetigo (2)?
- Staph aureus = mc
- Strep pyogenes
What is the typical presentation of impetigo?
Golden crusted personal lesions
What are the two types of impetigo?
- Bullous (always staph aureus, more severe - can be systemic Sx)
- Non-bullous
What is the difference between bullies and non-bullous staph aureus?
- Non- bullous = less severe lesions around mouth
- Bullous = more severe larger fluid filled blisters that subsequently burst in various locations on body
How is impetigo diagnosed?
Clinically/ send swab for MC&S
How is impetigo treated (3)?
- Hydrogen peroxide cream 1%
- Topical Abx e.g. fusidic acid
- Oral flucloxacillin
What are some complications of impetigo (6)?
- Cellulitis
- Sepsis
- Scarring
- Post strep glomerulonephritis
- Staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome
- Scarlet fever (or staphylococcal scarlet fever
What is cellulitis?
Subcutaneous and dermal infection