Respiratory Flashcards
whats the common cold
-mixture of upper respiratory tract infections, e.g. mouth, nose
-caused by rhinovirus and adenovirus
how is the common cold transmitted
-direct contact transmission e.g. through infected droplets
aetiology/cause of the cold (what happenes to the body)
-virus invades nasal and bronchial epithelia
-results in release of inflammatory mediators
-causes inflammation in the nose e.eg nasal congestion/sneezing/ increase in fluid
symptoms of the common cold
-sneezing
-congestion
-fever
-headache
-sore throat
-rhinorrhoea (abnormal discharge/mucus coming out of the nose)
how long does the cold last
-1-3 incubation days (time between exposure to the pathogen and the appearance of symptoms
-lasts up to 2 weeks
differential diagnosis of colds
-conjunctivitis
-sinusitis
-otitis media (infection of the middle ear)
-rhinitis (inflammation of the nose passage)
management of the cold
-prophylaxis (measures used to prevent infection) e.g. hand hygiene
-steam inhalers
-symptomatic treatments (to relieve symptoms of the cold) e.g. oral decongestants
-inhalation medicines e.g. vapour rub
whats influenza
-flu
-viral infection of the upper and lower respiratory systems
symptoms of influenza
-fever
-loss of apetite
-raised temp
-chillds
diff between cold and a flu
-cold is a gradual onset whereas a flu is abrupt
-flu = fever. cold = hot
-more severe symptoms occur within a flu
when to refer for flus or colds
-acute sinus involvement
-pain in the middle of the ear
-flu within very young or old people
-persistent fever or productive cough
-asthma, kidney disease (immunocompromised etc.)
whats a producitve cough
-cough that produces mucus or phlegm from respiratory tract
-yellow/green mucus may suggest infection whereas white is not
whats a non productive cough
-also known as dry cough
-doesn’t produce phlegm
-could be due to allergens like dust/pollution
-usually viral infection
how long do coughs last
- 3-7 days for upper respiratory
-3 weeks for acute or chronic bronchitis
treatment for coughs
-cough medicines and supressants e.g. codeine
-antihistamines
-demulcents (substances that heal and soothe the mucous lining) e.g. honey, glycerol (placebo?)
what should children use/ do for coughs
-use demulcents only, although may not cure the cough
-paracetomal for the headaches etc. for 5 plus only if non pharmacological measures don’t help e.g. drinking more water
-for nasal congestion, use saline nasal drops and avporu rubs (decongestants)
-for coughs, warm clear fluids or warm lemon and honey drinks for 1 plus
when to refer for coughs
-longer than 2 weeks and not improving
-chest pain
-wheezing
-whooping cough
-suspected adverse drug reaction
-shortness of breath
what’s pharyngitits
-sore throat
how long do sore throats last
-worsens over 2-3 days but lessens within a week usually
symptoms of sore throat
-painful, tender feeling back of the throat
-mild cough
-nausea
-discomfort when swallowing
what’s tonsilitis
-infection or inflammation of the tonsils
whatare the symptoms of tonsiltits
-sore throat
-red and swollen tonsils
-white spots/pus on tonsils
-swollen neck glands
-difficult to swallow
usually worsens within 2-3 days but then gradually goes within the week
treatment for sore throats
-paracetomal, ibuprofen
-antibacterial and antifungal agents
-anti inflammatories
when to refer for sore throat
-dysphagia (difficulty when swallowing food)
-swollen lymph glands
-mouth ulceration
-pus or fluid on tonsils, could be bacterial tonsiltiis
