Tropical medicine - weather diseases Flashcards
week 7 (28 cards)
Risk factor of Scrub Typhus
Highly focal mite distributions in SE Asia and costal NQ
Bushwalking patients
How is Scrub Typhus transmitted?
Mite-born rickettsia
How does Scrub Typhus present?
fever and chills
headache
body aches and muscle pain
eschar
mental changes, ranging from confusion to coma
lymphadenopathy
rash
may develop organ failure and bleeding
How is Scrub Typhus prevented?
avoid areas with lots of vegetation and brush
permethrin-treated clothing
insect repellent
no vaccine
How is scrub typhus treated?
doxycycline (antibiotic)
Who is at risk of Q fever?
People working with livestock
Farmers
Butchers
Abattoir
Vets
How is Q fever transmitted?
Birth fluids, stool and urine
Blown in dust
How does Q fever present?
fever
chills or sweats
fatigue (tiredness)
headache
muscle aches
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
stomach pain
weight loss
chest pain
non-productive cough
may progress to pneumonia/ hepatitis/ endocarditis
What is post Q fever fatigue syndrome?
Fatigue experienced following acute Q fever infection (like COVID)
May cause endocarditis (chronic symptoms of Q fever)
what are the risk factors of leptospirosis?
Heavy rain/ flooding
Banna farmers
What is the mode of transmission for leptospirosis?
Zoonotic (mammals and rats)
Waterborne spiral bacteria
Kidney infection –> urine contaminates soil/water
How does leptospirosis present?
acute febrile illness, mild to severe
headache
pains
N&V
red eyes
jaundice
severe = kidney/ liver failure and meningitis
How is Leptospirosis prevented?
personal
avoid exposure-prone activities
thorough washing
protective clothing
cover open wounds
environmental
livestock vaccination
rodent control
flood
How is Leptospirosis treated?
doxycycline
penicillin
Who is at risk of melodosis?
Wet season
Possible exposure +
Diabetes, alcohol abuse, chronic lung, kidney disease and immunosupression
How is Meloidosis transmitted?
Tropical soil bacteria
Skin breaks and inhalation (dust)
May present years after infection
How does meloidosis present?
pneumonia
sepsis
skin ulcer/ abscess
genitourinary
How can meloidosis be prevented?
PPE (eg. shoes) and avoid muddy areas
How is meloidosis treated?
intensive antibiotics for 3-6 months
Who is at risk of tuberculosis?
People born in endemic areas (CALD)
Endemic in Indigenous people in tropical Aus
How is tuberculosis transmitted?
Droplet spread (cough, spit and sneezes)
Crowding
How does Tuberculosis present?
night sweats
fever
weight loss
chest pain
chronic cough (>4-6 weeks)
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
What is extrapulmonary TB?
localised infection in any other organ than the lungs
