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
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