Upper Respiratory tract infections and Influenza

Question 1

What is the biggest complication of URTI in children

Answer 1

Epiglottitis

Question 2

What is the biggest complication of URTI in adults

Answer 2

Influenza A

Question 3

What is the medical term for the common cold

Answer 3

Coryza

Question 4

What is the common cold characterised by

Answer 4

Rhinorrhoea
Sneezing
Nasal Obstruction
Sore throat

Question 5

What causes the common cold

Answer 5

Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses

There are over 200 different types of viruses

Question 6

How is infection of coryza spread

Answer 6

Droplets

Question 7

What happens to the bacterial flora of the nasopharynx in the first few days of infection

Answer 7

Remains normal

Question 8

What happens to the bacterial flora of the nasopharynx after the first few days of infection

Answer 8

Increase in the number of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae organisms

Question 9

If a secondary infection tot the common cold were to occur what would it give rise to

Answer 9

Sinusitis
Otitis media
Bronchitis
Pneumonia

Question 10

What is the treatment for the common cold

Answer 10

No treatment - paracetamol or aspirin relieves symptoms

Question 11

What causes pharyngitis

Answer 11

Viruses
Beta- haemolytic streptococci
Mycoplasma pneymoniae
Chlamydophilia pneymoniae

Question 12

What are the symtoms of the common cold

Answer 12

Erythema of the pharynx
Enlargement of the tonsils
Sore throat

Question 13

What is also involved in Infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)

Answer 13

Lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly

Question 14

What causes glandular fever

Answer 14

Epstein-Barr virus

Question 15

What do patients with glandular fever develop if given amoxicilin

Answer 15

A rash

Question 16

When is antibiotic treatment of pharyngitis used

Answer 16

Usually only in severe or complicated cases

Question 17

What antibiotics should be used if required

Answer 17

Amoxicillin or phenoxymethylpenicillin for streptococci

Tetracycline or macrolide for Mycoplasma pneumoniae or CHlamydophila pneumoniae

Question 18

What is sinusitis

Answer 18

Infection of the maxillary sinuses causing facial pain, nasal obstruction and discharge

Question 19

What organisms can cause sinusitis

Answer 19

Viruses
Haemophilus influenzae
Strep pneumoniae 
Staph aureus 
Anaerobic bacteria

Question 20

What might be seen on a Xray in sinusitis

Answer 20

Mucosal thickning
Opacification
presence of a fluid level in the sinus

Question 21

What may cause a persistant cough

Answer 21

Post nasal dripping irritating the larynx

Question 22

How is sinusitis usually treated

Answer 22

With antibiotics
nasal decongestants
analgesia

Question 23

What is acute laryngitis

Answer 23

Temporary hoarseness or loss of voice

Question 24

When does laryngitis occur

Answer 24

With pharyngitis
Common cold
oedema of the vocal cords

Question 25

What is the treatment for acute laryngitis

Answer 25

None

Question 26

What are the symptoms of croup

Answer 26

Barking cough which may progress to stridor

Question 27

What organisms cause croup

Answer 27

Viruses

Question 28

What is the treatment of croup

Answer 28

Often none is required Oral prednisolone is sometimes beneficial if severe Nebulised high-dose budesonide = more rapid recovery

Question 29

What is acute epiglottitis

Answer 29

Very serious disease that is usually cause by virulent strains of Haemophilus influenzae type B often with septicaemia

Question 30

Who is most likely to develop acute epiglottitis

Answer 30

Children aged 2-3

Question 31

What are the symptoms of acute epiglottitis

Answer 31

Pyrexia Sore throat Laryngitis Painful dysphagia

Question 32

What are the antibiotics used to treat acute epiglottitis

Answer 32

Amphenicol or cefuroxime

Question 33

What is making acute epiglottitis more rarely seen

Answer 33

The widespread use of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae in childhood

Question 34

What is the antigenic drift in flu

Answer 34

Minor changes to the surface antigens

Question 35

What does the antigenic drift result in

Answer 35

Outbreaks of seasonal influenza in the winter months

Question 36

What are major changes in the surface antigens called

Answer 36

Antigenic shift

Question 37

What do antigenic shifts result in

Answer 37

Epidemics and pandemics of infection reflecting the lack of immunity in the population to the new strain

Question 38

What is the most effective way of preventing illness from seasonal influenza

Answer 38

Vaccination

Question 39

Who is entitled to get the flu vaccination

Answer 39

``` Over 65s Chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis) chronic heart failure renal fialure diabetics immunosuppressed patients those in nursing homes ```