URTI in children

Question 1

What are some important questions to ask when considering treatment of infection?

Answer 1

Are they going to get worse?
Are they at their worst?
Are they past their worst?

Question 2

What is the main dilemma with treating rhinitis?

Answer 2

Can be self-limiting

Can also be a prodrome to other illness like pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia, bronchiolitis

Question 3

What does otitis media look like?

Answer 3

Erythema

Bulging drum

Question 4

What are the main causes of OM?

Answer 4

Primary viral infection

Secondary to pneumococcus or Haem influenzae

Question 5

How is OM treated?

Answer 5

If medication is require the paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
Can implement back-up prescription for antibiotics in case symptoms worsen over coming days
May give immediate prescription
Always safety net

Question 6

How do we manage tonsilitis/pharyngitis?

Answer 6

Throat swab to determine viral vs bacterial

Either nothing or 10 days penicillin

Question 7

How does croup present?

Answer 7

Coryza
Stridor
Hoarse voice
Barking cough

Question 8

How is croup treated?

Answer 8

Oral dexamethasone

Question 9

How does epiglottitis present?

Answer 9

Stridor

Drooling

Question 10

How is epiglottitis treated?

Answer 10

Intubation

Antibiotics