respiratory tract infections Flashcards
what is rhinitis?
common cold, symptoms 2-3 days after infection
runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat
what is sinusitis?
generally follows rhinitis, commonly caused by allergy
nasal congestion, pressure, headache
what does green/yellow discharge indicate?
bacterial infection
what is acute otitis media?
ear infection, inflammation of eustachian tubes build up of fluid
what is tonsilitis?
inflammation of throat causing pain and swelling
sign of bacteria = bad breath
what is pneumonia?
fluid fills the alveoli
headache, fever, chest pain, cough
what are the 2 symptom phases of whooping cough?
catarrhal stage (mild) - cold symptoms
paroxysmal stage - severe and uncontrollable coughing
mechanism of action of whooping cough?
alpha i subunit locks into inactive state
prevents inhibition of AC and PKA
increased cAMP
what is respiratory syncytial virus?
giant cells (syncytium) produced in tract
single stranded RNA
mechanism of respiratory syncytial virus RSV?
dependent on RSV fusion protein F
F expressed on membrane of infected cells so they fuse
causes inflammation and airway obstruction
what is antigenic drift?
alteration of viral antigens so antibodies no longer bind - new viral strain
what is antigenic shift?
major change in antigens that can result in a new subtype of virus
when are antibiotics used for exacerbation of COPD?
increased purulence of sputum
AND EITHER
- increased dyspnoea
- increased sputum volume
what to do in case of clarithromycin and simvastatin interaction?
stop taking simvastatin for course then re-start 2 days after course finished
what 3 groups require preventative vaccination programmes for influenza?
- risk of infection, over 65 or disease groups
- people in long-stay care
- carers/health workers
