Respiratory OTC Flashcards
define the common cold
A mild, self-limiting
upper respiratory tract infection
characterised by nasal stuffiness
and discharge, sneezing sore
throat and cough.
what are the causes of the common cold?
viral cause
how does a cold spread?
- Inhale drops of mucus containing cold virus
- Touch something carrying the virus and then rub
eyes/nose.
when is a cold most contageous?
Symptoms within 2-3 days - most contagious in
early stages
what are the symptoms of a cold?
Runny/blocked nose
* Sneezing/coughing
* Headache/aches and pains
* Temperature –unlikely to be raised much in a
common cold
* Sore throat
* Earache –blocked and uncomfortable = normal
* - Acutely painful = referral
what is the flu?
Acute respiratory illness caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (influenza viruses).
what are the different types of viruses?
Influenza A - occurs more frequently and is more
virulent. It is responsible for most major epidemics and
pandemics.
* Influenza B - often co-circulates with influenza A during
the yearly outbreaks.
* Influenza C - usually causes a mild or asymptomatic
infection similar to the common cold.
what are the symptoms of flu?
- As per the common cold –PLUS…
- Onset - very rapid
- Weakness and fatigue –Many patients bed bound
- Fever (if present) tends to be more severe in children.
- Resistance is reduced during long term illness, stress, fatigue, depression
what are the complications of flu?
- Acute bronchitis.
- Pneumonia….may require admission to hospital
- Exacerbations of asthma and COPD
- Otitis media.
- Sinusitis.
- Non-respiratory complications –rare
- In pregnancy, complications include perinatal
mortality, prematurity, smaller neonatal size, and
lower birth weight (DoH, 2013)
how do you treat cold/ flu?
paracteamol- fever/ chills/pains
sore throat-local anesthetics- benzocaine sprays
congestion- decongestants- sudafed
inability to sleep- antihistamines- promethazine/ diphenydramine
how do decongestants work?
Constrict blood vessels in nasal mucosa
* Relieve nasal stuffiness
* Ingredient in oral cold remedies, nasal sprays & drops
what are the ingredients in oral/ topical decongestants?
Oral Decongestants
1. Ephedrine
2. pseudoephedrine
3. phenylephrine
Topical Decongestants
1. ephedrine
2. oxymetazoline
3. xylometazoline
what are the side effects of decongestants?
- Rebound congestion (topical)
- CNS Stimulants –do not take at night (orally)
who are decongestants contraindicaed in?
- Hypertension/Heart disease - stimulation of heart and
increase in BP - Diabetes –can increase blood glucose levels
- Hyperthyroidism
what do decongestants interact with?
- MAOIs
- beta blockers
what is the legal amount of psudeoephedrine/ ephedrine you can sell to a patient?
- Misused to produce
methylamphetamine (crystal meth) - Max sale of 720mg packs (12x60mg tabs)
- Limit of 1 pack per person
what are the side effects of antihistamines?
- Drowsiness…counsel re driving etc
- anticholinergic
who are antihistamines contraindicated in?
- Severe respiratory disease
- closed angle glaucoma
- prostatic hypertrophy
- epilepsy
- liver disease
what do antihistamines interact with?
Alcohol…increased sedative effects
what is used to treat cold/ flu in children?
Antitussives - Dextromethorphan,Pholcodine
Expectorants - Guaifenasin,Ipecacuanha
Nasal decongestants - Ephedrine,Oxymetazoline,Phenylephrine, Pseudoephedrine,Xylometazoline
Antihistamines Brompheniramine,Diphenhydramine,Doxylamine,Promethazine,Triprolidine.
who can codeine be used in?
not u12
12-18 P
18+ OTC
what counselling should you give for a child with cold/ flu?
- Can only recommend analgesic/anti-pyretic
(check if appropriate) - Fluids
- Rest
- Child sleep on side
- Vapour rubs/ inhalants/saline nasal drops
when should you refer child for cold/flu?
- noisy breathing/wheezing
- croup or whooping cough
- ear tugging
- persistent / extremely high temperature
- persistent nocturnal cough
when should you refer adults for cold/flu?
asthmatics
coloured mucus- consider as a whole
blood
infant/elderly
cardiac/ lung disease
