upper and lower respiratory tract infection in children Flashcards
what are upper respiratory tract infections?
over 99% are self limiting- like the common ‘cold’
usually viral but may be bacterial.
how are URT’s usually treated?
oxygenation, hydration, nutrition, sugary fluids, analgesia/antupyretic and time(with a review)
Antibiotics are not commonly used in treatment as they are like to cause more harmful side effects than good.
what is rhinitis?
Rhinitis is the medical term for inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity.
very common especially in winter months and is self limiting.
however can be prodrome to: meningitis, septicamia, pnenonia, bronchilotis. So its sensible to reveiw.
what is Otitis media? and its treatment
Otitis media refers to inflammation or infection of the middle ear, which is the space behind the eardrum. It is a common condition, particularly in children.
primarly viral infection but with secondary infection with pneumococcus(bacterial).
pain needs analgesia, antibiotics usally not used as can cause more harm than good
amoxycillin may be needed
how are tonsillitis and pharnygitis treated?
throat swab to determine viral or bacterial.
either do nothing or 10 days penicllin
DO nOT give amoxcillin
what is EBV and group A strep
both are common causes of tonsilitis or pharnygitis.
strep A is bacteria and EBV- epstein barr virus
strep infection- rash, high fever, younger and usally more unwell
what is croup?
urti that is usally caused by virus parinfluenza.
its common and can be trested with oral dexamethasone.
often affect children- hoarse voice, barking cough
what is epiglottis
Epiglottitis is usually caused by bacterial infection, most commonly Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
its a medical emergency and treatment tinvolves intubation and antibiotics
stridor, drooling
what are common bacterial infective agent
Strep pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
common viral infective agents
Rhinovirus
RSV
parainfluenza III
influenza
adenovirus
coronavirus
Human Meta Pneumo Virus
what is tracheitis
usally follows after viral croup infection which hasnt gotten better. leads to a staph or strep invasive infection which requires antibiotics
what is bronchitis
inflammation in the bronchial tubes
primarily viral and self limiting but bacterial infection is secondary after disturbance to mucocillary clearance etc.
Causative organisms of acute bronchitis are bacterial, and include Streptococcal pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
what is bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis can be defined as inflammation of the small airways, and commonly affects babies and children up to two years of age.
Usually RSV, others include paraflu III, HMPV
Nasal stuffiness, tachypnoea, poor feeding
Crackles +/- wheeze
Low grade fever
key principles of management of bronchiolitis
maximal observation
minimal intervention
lrti’s infective agent come about how
virus + commensal bacteria
