Upper respiratory tract infections

Question 1

Types of URTI

Answer 1

1. Common cold (coryza)
2. Pharyngitis/ tonsillitis
3. Acute otitis media
4. Sinusitis

Question 2

Natural history of URTI

Answer 2

• nasal discharge and blockage
• fever
• painful throat
• earache
• difficulty feeding
• febrile convulsions
• acute exacerbations of asthma

Question 3

Causative agents of URTI

Answer 3

• Coryza: rhinovirus, coronavirus, RSV
• Pharyngitis: adenovirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, group A B-haem (older child)
• Tonsilitis: Epstein-Barr virus, group A B-haem
• Otitis media: RSV, rhinovirus, pneumococcus, H. influenzae and moraxella catarrhalis

Question 4

Physiological consequences of fever and when to treat?

Answer 4

Treat fever at 38” and above