Respiratory infections

Question 1

2-3 days of coryzal symptoms followed by coughing bouts, inspiratory whoop

Answer 1

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Question 2

Causative organism in pertussis?

Answer 2

Bordetella

Question 3

How long can whooping cough last for?

Answer 3

Up to 10-14 weeks

Question 4

Complications of whooping cough? (4)

Answer 4

Pneumonia
Bronchiectasis
Subconjunctival haemorrhage
Seizures

Question 5

Rapid onset of high fever + stridor + drooling of saliva

Answer 5

Epiglottitis

Question 6

What are the Centor criteria used for?

Answer 6

To determine likelihood of a sore throat being bacterial

Question 7

What are the Centor criteria? (4)

Answer 7

Presence of tonsillar exudate
Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy/lymphadenitis
Hx of fever
Absence of cough

Question 8

What are the indications for antibiotics in sore throat?

Answer 8

Marked systemic upset
PMHx rheumatic fever, increased infection risk e.g. DM, immunodeficiency
3 or more Centor criteria
Unilateral peritonsillitis

Question 9

Stridor + barking cough worse at night

Answer 9

Croup

Question 10

What are the causative organisms for most cases of croup?

Answer 10

Parainfluenza viruses

Question 11

Management of croup? (2)

Answer 11

Oral dexamethasone/prednisolone

Emergency- high flow oxygen, nebulised adrenaline

Question 12

When are antibiotics prescribed in whooping cough (pertussis) and which class?

Answer 12

If onset of cough in last 21 days; macrolide (e.g. azithromycin)

Question 13

Coryzal symptoms preceding dry cough + SOB +/- wheeze

Answer 13

Bronchiolitis

Question 14

Causative organism of bronchiolitis in 80%?

Answer 14

Respiratory syncytial virus