Respiratory Infections

Question 1

What are the pathogens that cause the Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)/ Influenza-like illness?

Answer 1

• Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, myxoviruses, echoviruses, coxsackie A and B, parainfluenzae, human metapneuovirus (HPMV), influenza
• M pneumoniae, c pneumoniae

Question 2

What are the pathogens that causes pharyngitis?

Answer 2

Viral (50–80% of cases): adenovirus, EBV, CMV, HSV, rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, HIV. coxsackie viruses

Bacterial (15–30% of cases)

• Most common: Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group A streptococcus or GAS)
• Rare: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 3

What are the pathogens that cause sinusitis?

Answer 3

S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae

Question 4

What are the pathogens that cause croup?

Answer 4

parainfluenza virus, respiratory synctial virus

Question 5

what are the pathogens that cause epiglottitis?

Answer 5

h. influenzae

Question 6

what are the pathogens that cause whooping cough?

Answer 6

bordetella pertussis

Question 7

what are the pathogens that cause acute pneumonia/ bronchitis?

Answer 7

Typicals: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis)

Atypicals: Mycoplasma, Legionella, Pertussis

Viral: influenza, measles

Question 8

what are the pathogens that cause bronchiolitis

Answer 8

respiratory synctial virus

Question 9

What is the indication for ICU admission for respiratory support?

Answer 9

1 major criteria, OR 3 minor criteria

Major criteria

• Invasive mechanical ventilation
• Septic shock with need for vasopressors

Minor criteria

• RR ≥ 30
• PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 250
• Mutilobar infiltrates
• Confusion/disorientation
• Uraemia (BUN ≥ 20 mg/dL)
• Leukopenia (WBC < 4)
• Thrombocytopenia (PLT < 100)
• Hypothermia (T < 36)
• Hypotension requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation