Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What are the main normal flora of the URT?
- Strep viridans
- Commensal neisseria spp
- Anaerobes
- Diphtheroids
What respiratory pathogens that might be carried asymptomatically but can become problems
S Pneumonia
H influenza
Moraxella catarrhalis
S pyogenes
What is the main cause of the common cold?
Rhino virus - do not give antibiotics
What is rhinosinisitus?
facial pain, nasal blockage, reduced smell
What is the main cause of rhinosinisitis?
Post viral infection
(2nd bacteria = H influenzae, S pneu.
What can chronic rhinositius develop into?
Meningitis, osteomyelitis
Brain abcess
Whats the main cause for pharyngitis/tonsilitis?
VIRUSES
- RSV
- Influenza
- EBV
- HSV1
- Adenovirus
Bacterial cause of tonsillitis/pharygitis?
- S Pyrogenes
- N gonorrhoea (rare)
What can group A strep infections cause in young children?
Scarlet fever
Rheumatic fever
Glomerulonephritis
How do you treat group A strep infections?
Penecillin
What condition does EBV cause?
Glandular fever
What complication can arise from glandular fever?
Splenomegaly - avoid contact sports
What antibiotic should EBV suffers avoid and why?
Ampicillin ‘mac-pap rash’ (not allergy, just reaction)
What are the symptoms of glandular fever?
-fever sore throat (peritonsillar access)
What is the bacterium that causes diphtheria?
C. diptheriae
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
Non-specific
What complications does diphtheria cause?
Airway obstruction
Myocarditis
Neuropathy
lung infection (respiratory failure or pneumonia)
What condition is prominent in young children and marked by fever, irritability, ‘hot potato’ speech, stridor, hoarse voice
epiglottis (cheery red) - airway obstruction
What is the organism that causes epiglottis?
H influenzae type B prior to immunisation
After immunisation - respiratory bacteria and S areus
What is characterised by a hoarse husky voice, globes pharynges (lump in throat), fever, myalgia, dysphagia?
Laryngitis
What is the main cause of laryngitis? Any other causes?
Viral (sometimes bacterial)
Voice abuse, malignancy
What is the technical name for croup?
Laryngotracheobronchitis
What is the cause of croup?
Parainfluenza
What condition is mainly caused by bordetella pertussis?
Whooping cough
- NOTIFIABLE DISEASE
Name the 2 phases of whooping cough
Initial catarrhal phase - runny nose, fever, malaise
Whoop phase (week later) dry non productive cough, short bursts on exhalation then inspiratory gasp
What is the treatment for whooping cough?
Erythromycin
What is otitis external?
Infection of the outer ear
Out ear = skin/soft tissue but small space, therefore, prone to infection of skin
What are the signs of otitis external
erythema (redness), otorrhoea (discharge)
What is acute otitis external cause by?
S areus (skin) and pseudomonas (swimming)
What is chronic otitis external?
Irritation from drainage of perforated eardrum
What should you avoid taking with chronic otitis media?
Amino glycosides - resistance and sensitisation with repeated use. Also can cause deafness with perforated tympanic membranes
Why is otitis external malignant life threatening
Can invade deep areas i.e. temporal bone, skull, meninges, braim
What is the organisms that mainly causes otitis external malignant
pseudonomas aeruginosa
Is otitis media mainly caused by viral or bacterial infections? And what organisms?
VIRAL
H influenzae
M Catarharris
S pneumoniae
What is the first line of treatment for mastoiditis?
Co-amoxiclav
