Upper respiratory tract infections Flashcards
Upper resp infections
What are the most common pathogens to cause it?
3
H. influenza
rhinovirus
RSV (children)
Upper resp infections
Rarely, infections with S. pyogenes can cause 2 serious complications:
- rheumatic fever
- glomerulonephritis
Upper resp infections
Infection of the respiratory tract will cause inflammation and swelling of the area resulting in:
10
- Rhinorrhoea
- Sneezing
- Otalgia
- Large tonsils with or without exudate
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Malaise
- Odynophagia
Upper resp infections
More acute URTIs such as diphtheria or acute epiglottitis can cause ____, ____ or ____, suggesting potential airway obstruction.
More acute URTIs such as diphtheria or acute epiglottitis can cause dyspnoea, drooling or stridor, suggesting potential airway obstruction.
Upper resp infections
Normally a competent history and diagnosis alone will be sufficient to diagnose an URTI.
However, what investigation can be used to confirm?
throat/nasal swabs
Upper resp infections
If glandular fever is suspected, what tests should be performed?
- a monospot test
- blood film
- RBC
Upper resp infections
If pneumonia is suspected, what test should be used to confirm?
cxr
Upper resp infections
What criterias should be followed to enable the correct prescribing of antibiotics for acute infections when needed?
centor criteria or FeverPAIN
Upper resp infections
What does the centor criteria consist of?
How does it influence management?
If 3 are positive, there is a 50% chance of Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus, which required ABx treatment
Upper resp infections
What does the FeverPAIN criteria consist of?
Upper resp infections
Apart from centor criteria or feverpain, what are some other indications that ABx may be needed?
7
- History of rheumatic fever
- Marked systemic upset
- Immunosuppression
- Acute epiglottitis
- Bronchitis with underlying chronic lung disease
- Children with bilateral otitis media
- Diphtheria
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 0?
Unlikely streptococcal infection; ABx not recommended
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 1?
Unlikely streptococcal infection; ABx not recommended
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 2?
consider delayed ABx
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 3?
consider delayed ABx
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 4?
consider ABx
Upper resp infections
What is the recommendation if FeverPAIN score is 5?
consider ABx
Upper resp infections
