SSTIs Flashcards
what are the cardinal signs of SSTIs?
host inflammatory response
fever
rapid lesion progression
how are skin infections classified?
based on their depth
what are the wound classifications (6)?
- superficial
- partial
- full
- deep
- complicated
- penetrating
what are the symptoms of epidemic impetigo?
eruptions of flaccid pustules
rupture = thick honey coloured crust
lesions around mouth and nose
how is epidemic impetigo transmitted?
skin to skin contact
how is epidemic impetigo treated?
antibiotic therapy (penicillin)
no culture (unless non-healing)
what types of bacteria cause epidemic impetigo (2)?
group A strep pyogenes
S. aureus
what is erysipelas?
acute skin infection
rapid spread
deep skin layers (superficial, dermal, lymphatics)
causes swelling
erysipelas may be a source of ______________________ which means it has potential to cause ________________
bacteremia
systemic infection
what causes erysipelas?
group A strep pyogenes
what are the cardinal sigs of erysipelas?
discreet borders
red
raised
what is cellulitis?
acute skin infection
affects SC layers
caused by local infection or trauma
what organisms cause cellulitis?
S. aureus
Group A strep pyogenes
pseudomonas aeruginosa
gram negative bacilli
pseudomonas aeruginosa is often associated with _____________
hot tubs
what are furuncles?
infected sebaceous glands
what causes furuncles?
ALWAYS S. aureus
how are furuncles treated?
cloxacillin
where are furuncles most common?
face (high concentration of sebaceous glands)
what are carbuncles?
cluster of connected furuncles
what are decubitus sores?
pressure sores
what are decubitus ulcers colonized with?
potential pathogens and non-pathogens
how are decubitus ulcers treated?
clean tissue
wound care
how should a specimen be taken from a wound?
- clean first
- swab as deep as you can
what is fasciitis?
rapidly progressing cellulitis
necrosis of SC tissue
what causes fasciitis?
Group A strep pyogenes
how is fasciitis diagnosed?
usually clinical
+
gram stain
culture
what is ringworm?
causes infections in hair, skin and nails
what causes ringworm?
dermatophytes (fungi)
how is ringworm (dermatophytes) diagnosed?
usually clinical
+
skin/nail scraping sent to lab
calcoflour stain
fungal culture
how do dermatophytes spread?
contact and sweat
- gyms
- wrestlers
- gymnasts
- boxers
how do dermatophytes cause infection?
produce keratinase
break down keratin
what are scabies?
microscopic mites
how do scabies cause infection?
females burrow into skin and lay eggs
eggs are highly immunogenic and cause inflammatory reaction
how is scabies diagnosed?
clinically
how is scabies transmitted?
contact with clothing and linen
what does HSV-1 cause?
cold sores
what does HSV-2 cause?
genital sores
how is HSV transmitted?
direct contact
how is HSV treated?
antivirals can shorten healing time if taken early
