URTI Flashcards
What are the causes of tonsilitis?
- Viral - adenovirus, rhinovirus, influenza, respiratory syncitial virus
- Bacterial - Group A Beta Haemolytic Streptococcus
Outline the pathophysiology of tonsilitis
- Microbial infection of the tonsils caused by invasion of the mucosal membrane by microorganisms
- Subtype of pharyngitis
What are the signs and symptoms of tonsilitis?
- Sore throat
- Painful swallowing
- Painful/stiff neck
- swollen tonsils
- Purulent tonsils
- Fever
- Lymphadenopathy
- Scratchy, muffled or throaty voice
- Halitosis
- Stomach ache in children
- Headache
How should tonsilitis be investigated?
- Throat exam
- Throat swabs
- FeverPain Score
How is tonsilitis best managed?
- Rest
- Hydration
- Saltwater gargle
- Lozenges
- Avoid irritants
- Ibuprofen/paracetamol
- If its bacterial:
- Phenyoxymethylpenicilin for 7 or 10 days
- Surgery
- Tonsillectomy
Outline the possible complications of tonsillitis
- Peritonsillar abscess (Quinsy)
- Difficulty breathing
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Tonsillar cellulitis
Outline the aetiology of pharyngitis
- Viral
- Adenovirus
- Influenza
- EBV
- Bacterial
- Group A haemolytic strep (Strep pyogenes)
What is pharyngitis?
Inflammation of the mucosal lining of the pharnyx due to infection
What are the signs and symptoms of pharyngitis?
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Lymphadenopathy
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Hoarse voice
How should pharyngitis be investigated?
- Throat exam
- Throat swabs
- Fever pain score
How should pharyngitis be managed?
- Supportive management
- Abx = amoxicilin
What are the complications of pharyngitis?
- Sinusitis
- Acute otitis media
What are the causes of laryngitis?
- Acute:
- Viral
- Rhinovirus, influenza, adenovirus
- Bacterial
- Group A strep
- Fungal
- Histoplasma
- Candida
- Trauma
- Excessive shouting
- Viral
- Chronic
- Smoking
- TB
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- RA
- Sarcoidosis
- Polyps
Outline the pathophysiology of laryngitis
- Inflammation of the mucosal lining of the larnyx caused by infection
- Acute
- less than 3 weeks
- Chronic
- more than 3 weeks
What are the signs and symptoms of laryngitis?
- Hoarse voice
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Pain
- Dysphagia
- Sensation of swelling int he larynx
- Lymphadenopathy
- SOB - predominantly in children
How should laryngitis be investigated?
- Throat exam
- Throat swab
- FeverPAIN score
- Laryngoscopy
- If stridor, radiation therapy, dysphagia, smoking history
When should laryngitis be investigated with a laryngoscopy?
- Smoking history
- Radiation therpay
- Stridor
- Dysphagia
Outline the best management for laryngitis
- Manage reflux
- PPI
- Antacds
- H” blockers
- Antihistamines
- Oral antifungal
- Abx = if bacterial and chronic
- Autoimmune
- Cyclophosphamide and prednisolone
Outline the causes of the common cold
- Viral - rhinovirus
What is the pathophysiology of the common cold?
- Viral infection of the URT
- Transmitted via airborne droplets
What are the signs and symptoms of the common cold?
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
What are the investigations of the common cold?
- FeverPAIN score
- Clinical diagnosis
How is the common cold managed?
- Ibuprofen
- Rest
- Hydration
- Salt water gargle
What are the complications of the the common cold?
- Otitis media
- Sinusitis
