Upper Respiratory tract infections and Influenza Flashcards
What is the biggest complication of URTI in children
Epiglottitis
What is the biggest complication of URTI in adults
Influenza A
What is the medical term for the common cold
Coryza
What is the common cold characterised by
Rhinorrhoea
Sneezing
Nasal Obstruction
Sore throat
What causes the common cold
Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses
There are over 200 different types of viruses
How is infection of coryza spread
Droplets
What happens to the bacterial flora of the nasopharynx in the first few days of infection
Remains normal
What happens to the bacterial flora of the nasopharynx after the first few days of infection
Increase in the number of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae organisms
If a secondary infection tot the common cold were to occur what would it give rise to
Sinusitis
Otitis media
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
What is the treatment for the common cold
No treatment - paracetamol or aspirin relieves symptoms
What causes pharyngitis
Viruses
Beta- haemolytic streptococci
Mycoplasma pneymoniae
Chlamydophilia pneymoniae
What are the symtoms of the common cold
Erythema of the pharynx
Enlargement of the tonsils
Sore throat
What is also involved in Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)
Lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly
What causes glandular fever
Epstein-Barr virus
What do patients with glandular fever develop if given amoxicilin
A rash
When is antibiotic treatment of pharyngitis used
Usually only in severe or complicated cases
What antibiotics should be used if required
Amoxicillin or phenoxymethylpenicillin for streptococci
Tetracycline or macrolide for Mycoplasma pneumoniae or CHlamydophila pneumoniae
What is sinusitis
Infection of the maxillary sinuses causing facial pain, nasal obstruction and discharge
What organisms can cause sinusitis
Viruses Haemophilus influenzae Strep pneumoniae Staph aureus Anaerobic bacteria
What might be seen on a Xray in sinusitis
Mucosal thickning
Opacification
presence of a fluid level in the sinus
What may cause a persistant cough
Post nasal dripping irritating the larynx
How is sinusitis usually treated
With antibiotics
nasal decongestants
analgesia
What is acute laryngitis
Temporary hoarseness or loss of voice
When does laryngitis occur
With pharyngitis
Common cold
oedema of the vocal cords
What is the treatment for acute laryngitis
None
What are the symptoms of croup
Barking cough which may progress to stridor
What organisms cause croup
Viruses
What is the treatment of croup
Often none is required
Oral prednisolone is sometimes beneficial if severe
Nebulised high-dose budesonide = more rapid recovery
What is acute epiglottitis
Very serious disease that is usually cause by virulent strains of Haemophilus influenzae type B often with septicaemia
Who is most likely to develop acute epiglottitis
Children aged 2-3
What are the symptoms of acute epiglottitis
Pyrexia
Sore throat
Laryngitis
Painful dysphagia
What are the antibiotics used to treat acute epiglottitis
Amphenicol or cefuroxime
What is making acute epiglottitis more rarely seen
The widespread use of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae in childhood
What is the antigenic drift in flu
Minor changes to the surface antigens
What does the antigenic drift result in
Outbreaks of seasonal influenza in the winter months
What are major changes in the surface antigens called
Antigenic shift
What do antigenic shifts result in
Epidemics and pandemics of infection reflecting the lack of immunity in the population to the new strain
What is the most effective way of preventing illness from seasonal influenza
Vaccination
Who is entitled to get the flu vaccination
Over 65s Chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis) chronic heart failure renal fialure diabetics immunosuppressed patients those in nursing homes
