Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Question 1

What is Otitis Media

Answer 1

Infection in the middle of the ear that causes inflammation (Redness and swelling) and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum.

URTI

Question 2

Presentation of Otitis Media

Answer 2

Symtoms:

earache
a high temperature (fever)
being sick
a lack of energy
slight hearing loss - if the middle ear becomes filled with fluid

Specifically in children:

raised temperature
pulling, tugging or rubbing their ear
irritability, poor feeding or restlessness at night
coughing or a runny nose
unresponsiveness to quiet sounds or other signs of difficulty hearing, such as inattentiveness
loss of balance

Question 3

How long do symptoms last in Otitis Media?

Answer 3

Symptoms last for about 3days, but can last for up to 1week - most children and young people get better within 3days without antibiotics.

Question 4

Treatment for Otitis Media

Answer 4

Doing nothing is often the best thing, and the endpoint is the same for 99.99% of individuals.

Offer pain relief

Question 5

What type of respiratory infection is bronchitis?

Answer 5

• Common
• Endbronchial infection
• LRTI
• Loose rattly cough with URTI

Question 6

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Answer 6

• Post-tussive vomit - vomit at end of coughing fit

- Chest free of wheeze/creps/crackle

Question 7

What causes bronchitis?

Answer 7

Caused by haemophilius/oneumococcus

Question 8

Natural history of bacterial bronchitis

Answer 8

Following URTI
Lasts 4 weeks
60-80% respond
Pneumonococcus/ H flu

Question 9

Clinical Diagnosis of Bronchiolitis

Answer 9

• LRTI of infants
• <12 months
• Affects 30-40% of infants
• Usually RSV - others include paraflu III, HMPV
• Nasal stuffiness, tachpynoea, poor feeding
• One off
• Typical history
• Crackles +/- wheeze