Respiratory tract infections (excluding pneumonia, flu and TB) Flashcards
Name upper respiratory tract infectious conditions
Common cold (coryza)
Sore throat (pharyngitis)
Sinusitis
Epiglottitis
What is coryza?
Acute viral infection of the nasal passages
What are the clinical features of coryza?
A self-limiting nasal discharge (becoming mucopurulent over a few days)
Often accompanied by a sore throat
Sometimes accompanied by a fever
How is coryza spread?
By droplets and fomites
Fomites = any form of transmission of a virus or bacteria
Name some complications of coryza
Sinusitis Acute bronchitis Otitis media Pneumonia Febrile convulsions
What is the main cause of corzya?
Rhinoviruses
Why is there more chance of getting coryza at lower temperatures?
Because rhinoviruses proliferate best at 32 degrees centigrade.
What is acute sinusitis?
Infection of the sinuses
How do you distinguish between sinusitis and a common cold?
Pain in the sinuses
What are the clinical features of sinusitis?
Pain in the sinuses
Preceded by a common cold (coryza)
Purulent nasal discharge
What is the treatment of sinusitis?
Give antibiotics if it is persistent over a week.
a) What is tonsillitis?
b) How is it treated?
a) Inflammation of the tonsils. When enlarged, they are painful and can obstruct the airway.
b) Antibiotics
a) What is quinsy?
b) How is it treated?
a) Paratonsilar abscess
b) Incision and drainage
a) What is diptheria?
b) What causes it?
a) An acute inflammation which most frequently affects the fauces, soft palate and tonsils.
b) Corynebacterium diptheriae
Is diptheria still seen in the UK?
No- due to vaccination
How can diptheria be life-threatening?
Due to its toxin production.
The toxin webs across the throat, causes sepsis and death.
What often causes acute epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenzae
Why is tracheostomy preferential to intubation in a child with epiglottitis?
Attempt at intubation often causes more swelling of the epiglottis, hence more airway obstruction. Could cause death.
What is acute bronchitis?
The cold which goes into the chest:
Preceded by a common cold. Either the virus or the inflammation (inflammatory cells) move down the airway.
(Unless the patient has an underlying chronic lung disease in which case a secondary bacterial infection is more likely to be the cause).
What are the clinical features of acute bronchitis?
Productive cough A fever in a minority of cases Normal chest examination Normal CXR May have a transient wheeze
Are antibiotics indicated for acute bronchitis?
Not unless the patient has an underlying chronic lung disease.
What are the clinical features of an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis?
Usually preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection.
There is worsening of sputum production which is now purulent.
More wheezy.
Breathless.
On examination:
Breathless, wheeze, coarse crackles, may be cyanosed, ankle oedema in advanced disease.
Describe the management of an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.
Antibiotics: amoxicillin or doxycyclin
Bronchodilator inhalers
Short course of steroids in some cases
Refer to hospital if:
Evidence of respiratory failure or not coping at home.
In hospital:
Same as before plus ABGs, CXR, oxygen if respiratory failure
Name the lower respiratory tract infections
Acute bronchitis
Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
Pneumonia
Influenza
Which group of patients is commonly affected by bronchiolitis, especially in the Winter months?
Young children, particularly those aged 1/2.