Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
Are upper respiratory tract infections common?
Yes, very common
Where does the boundary between the upper and lower respiratory tract lie?
Larynx
What is tonsillitis?
Inflammation of the tonsils
What treatment should not be given to treat tonsillitis?
Amoxicillin
When examining for tonsillitis what should be looked for?
Inflammation of the tonsils
Enlargement of the lymph nodes
Pus on tonsils + pharynx
What is otitis media?
Inflammation of the middle of the air
Earache
What is the best treatment for upper respiratory tract infections?
Time
What is rhinitis?
Runny nose
Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose
During what time of the year is rhinitis particularly common?
Winter
What colour does the inside of the air appear in otitis media?
Red
How is otitis media diagnosed?
Based on history and examination
Why is giving antibiotics not always the best solution?
Can cause side effects
Diarrhoea
Nappy rash for babies
Who does otitis media normally appear in?
Children
What are the symptoms of otitis media?
Ear ache
Fever
Irritability
What is the primary cause of otitis media?
Viral
Why are antibiotics not overly helpful in treating otitis media?
Because the infection is viral
What is the treatment for otitis media?
Self limiting
Give it time
Antibiotics will unlikely be helpful
What is the only way to determine whether a URTI is viral or bacterial?
Throat swap
Why is doing a throat swap not overly practical?
Because it is a waste of time
Treatment tis the same - give it time
What is the treatment for tonsillitis?
Penicillin
Can you use inspection to determine if an infection is viral or bacterial?
No
Infection looks red
What colour indicates infection?
Red
What is the best suggestion for URTI?
Give it time
COME BACK if it gets any worse
Take painkillers (ibroprufen paracetamol ect..)
Why is there a reluctance to prescribe antibiotics for URTI?
Because they will not necessarily help
The side effects they cause may outweigh the benefits of them
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
Difficulty swallowing
Sore throat
Coughing
Pyrexia (in children due to infection)
What is the common cause of tonsillitis?
Bacterial infection
Strep pyogenes
What are the complications of tonsillitis?
Quinsy
Skin rashes
Otitis media
Scarlet fever
What are the signs of scarlet fever?
Rash
Red flat strawberry tongue
What is coryza?
Common cold
What are the symptoms of coryza?
Sneezing/tickly nose
Headache
Pyrexia
Rhinorrhoea
What is the most common cause of coryza?
Rhinovirus
What is the treatment for a common cold?
Self limiting
Time
Painkillers
What secondary infections can coryza commonly cause?
Sinusitis
Laryngitis
Bronchitis
Otitis media
