Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) Flashcards
What is the main component of the normal flora in the upper respiratory tract?
Alpha Streptococci.
Most common colds are caused by:
rhinoviruses.
Describe rhinoviruses (size, enveloped or not, DNA/RNA).
Small, non-enveloped RNA.
How are rhinoviruses usually transmitted?
Direct contact, some by droplet.
Why do rhinoviruses only grow in the upper respiratory tract?
They don’t grow at 37ºC - their optimal temperature for growth is 33ºC.
How long is the incubation period for rhinoviruses?
10-12 hours.
What is the second most common cause of common colds?
Coronaviruses.
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is causes by:
HHV-4 (Epstein-Barr virus - EBV).
Describe EBV (enveloped/non-enveloped, DNA/RNA).
Enveloped DNA virus.
In IM, EBV remains latent in:
B cells.
Most IM infections in children are ____ while infections in older demographics (teens, adults) are more ______.
mild; severe.
IM can have systemic effects on:
cardiovascular & lymphatic systems.
What are some common symptoms of IM (5)?
Fever. Sore throat. Swollen lymph glands in neck. General weakness & fatigue. Enlarged spleen.
EBV produces heterophile antibodies, which are:
weird antibodies that agglutinate other animals’ RBCs.
Heterophile antibodies can be used for:
lab tests (ex: monospot).