Upper respiratory tract infections Flashcards
define an upper respiratory tract infection
it is a non-specific term used to describe acute infections involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi
what is the prototype of the an upper respiratory tract infection?
the illness known as the common cold
what are symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections?
cough sore throat runny nose nasal congestion headache low grade fever facial pressure sneezing
name the most common organisms that cause the bacteria superinfection of viral acute rhino sinusitis
streptococcus pneumoniae
haemophilus influenza
moraxella catarrhalis
name the four types of bacteria that cause less than 10% of cases of acute tracheobronchitis
bordetella pertussis
B. parapertussis
M. pneumonia
C. pneumoniae
what is tonsillitis?
inflammation of the tonsils
what is the infection and swelling of the tonsils classed as?
tonsilitis
what are tonsils?
oval shaped masses of lymph gland tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat
what are symptoms of tonsillitis?
sore throat fever enlargement of the tonsils trouble swallowing large lymph nodes around the neck
what is pharyngitis?
inflammation of the back of the throat known as the pharynx, causing a sore throat
what does pharyngitis typically result in?
a sore throat and fever
what is pharyngitis typically a type of?
a respiratory tract infection
what are most cases of pharyngitis caused by?
a viral infection
how is pharyngitis treated?
NSAIDS
and lidocaine
what is the common cold?
it is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system
what is the EB virus?
the Epstein-Barr virus, it is a virus in the herpes family that is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis
how is the EB virus characterised?
it is characterised by fatigue and general malaise
what is the EB virus also known as?
human herpesvirus 4
what is glandular fever?
it is an infectious viral disease characterised by swelling of the lymph glands and prolonged lassitude
what is glandular fever also called?
infectious mononucleosis
name a type of viral infection that mostly affects young adults
glandular fever
what are common symptoms of glandular fever?
a sore throat and extreme tiredness
what is otitis?
it is inflammation of the ear
how is otitis usually distinguished?
otitis externa
otitis media
otitis interna
what is otitis externa?
inflammation of the passage of the ear
what is otitis media?
inflammation of the middle ear
what is otitis interna?
inflammation of the inner ear - labyrinthritis
how is otitis media characterised?
by the accumulation of infected fluid in the middle ear,
bulging of the eardrum,
pain in the ear
if the eardrum is perforated
drainage of purulent material (pus) into the ear canal
what is sinusitis?
inflammation of a nasal sinus
describe sinusitis
inflammation of the lining membrane in any of the hollow areas pf the skull around the nose
what may cause sinusitis?
it may be caused by anything that interferes with air flow into the sinuses and the drainage of mucous out of the sinuses
