Upper respiratory tract infection- children Flashcards
what are the possible viral infective agents for URTIs?
adenovirus, influenza A/B, para’flu I, III, RSV, rhinovirus
what are the possible bacterial infective agents for URTIs?
H influenzae, M catarrhalis, (mycoplasma), (s. aureus), streptococci (progenies/ pneumoniae)
why is history of patient complaint particular important for URTIs? (and review by parents or clinicians should be done)
the patient could either be seen before, during or after the illness peaked
when is rhinitis common?
very common during the winter months
what is the particularity of rhinitis?
self-limiting condition but prodrome to other illnesses
what other illness could rhinitis lead to?
pneumonia, bronchiolitis, meningitis, septicaemia
what colour is the ear drum in physiological conditions?
light
what colour is the ear drum with otitis media?
pink (erythema), also bulging
how common is otitis media?
very common
is otitis media self-limiting?
yes
what complications are there to otitis media?
secondary infection, spontaneous rupture of drum
what causes otitis media?
primary viral infection (AB don’t work)
when do you treat otitis media?
- severe uni/ bilateral otitis media lasting over 6 months, severe pain lasting over 48 hours
- none-severe bilateral 6-23 months
when do you keep a closer look on otitis media? what is to be prescribed?
non severe OM in older children, prescribe AB therapy or offer observation with close follow-up based on joint decision-making with the parent/ caregiver
what should you treat otitis media with? what to avoid?
analgesia works for sure, AB may only work after 24 hours, by which time the pain will have been largely reduced (side-effects for not much benefit?)
what is the difficulty about tonsillitis/ pharyngitis?
not know if it is viral or bacterial
how to find out if tonsillitis/ pharyngitis is viral or bacterial?
throat swab -> do nothing or 10 days penicillin
what AB should you avoid with tonsillitis/ pharyngitis?
amoxicillin
what is the difficulty about otitis media?
to treat or not to treat
what is the difficulty about rhinitis?
anticipating the fact it is a prodrome to other illnesses
what is the difficulty about croup/epiglottitis? ?
do not confuse croup and epiglottis
how do you treat croup (LTB)?
oral dexamethasone
how do you treat epiglottitis?
intubation and AB
which is more common? croup (LTB) or epiglottitis?
croup (LTB)
which is more dangerous? croup (LTB) or epiglottitis?
epiglottitis
what is the infective agent for croup (LTB)?
para’flu I
what are the symptoms for croup (LTB)?
coryza++, stridor, hoarse voice, “barking” cough
what is the infective agent for epiglottitis?
H influenza type B
what are the symptoms for epiglottitis?
stridor, drooling
what is usually meant by self-limiting? which treatment usually doesn’t help?
viral (AB don’t usually help)
how common are URTIs in children?
very common
