URTI's Flashcards
Droplet sizes?
Large= >100 microns Medium= 5-100 microns Small= <5 microns
Difference between common cold and influenza symptoms?
Common cold symptoms: Cough, Rhinitis, sore throat.
Influenza symptoms: Rhinitis, sore throat, systemic symptoms, viral pneumonia.
Common causes of the common cold?
Rhinovirus, Coronavirus and RSV.
Common causes of influenza?
Influenza virus
Main treatment for the common cold?
Symptomatic (e.g rest, fluids etc.)
Non-infective causes of sinusitis?
Tumours
Allergy
GPA
Foreign body
Common viral causes of sinusitis?
Rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus.
What investigations may be carried out in sinusitis?
X-ray or CT.
- X-ray more common. Shows air-fluid level and thickening of soft tissue.
Sinus aspirate if fluid present.
Treatment of sinusitis?
Viral= Resolves spontaneously.
Bacterial= Amoxicillin or clarithromycin. Decongestants. Analgesia. Sinus puncture and lavage.
Fungal= Surgical debridement. Anti-fungals.
Investigations/ diagnosis of otitis media?
Otoscopy
Tympanocentesis.
Treatment for otitis media?
Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, co-amoxiclav x5days
Investigations for sore throats?
Throat swab- culture and susceptibility.
Blood culture if epiglottitis.
Monospot test for EBV.
Point of care test for GAS.
When to prescribe antibiotics for sore throat patients?
If culture implies.
3 of 4 of CENTOR criteria. (CAFE)
If GAS= Penicillin x 10 days.
If diptheria= Penicillin G or erythromycin. (Also diptheria antitoxin and airway management etc.)
Most patients don’t respond to antibiotics.
IPC for diptheria?
Droplet precautions. Vaccination. Notify contacts.
Main cause and treatment of laryngitis?
Viral
Symptomatic treatment= Voice rest, humidification.
Commonest cause of epiglottitis?
HiB.
Clinical features of epiglottits?
Dysphagia Stridor Dyspnoea Fever Lethargy Drooling
Management of epiglottits?
Secure airway
Blood cultures
Antibiotics= Cefotaxime. (IV)
Difference between croup and epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis is more rapid and doesnt have the croup like/seal-like cough.
Treatment of croup?
Corticosteroids and humidified oxygen
Antibiotic treatment of acute bronchitis?
Symptomatic.
Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline.
Ventilation if severe.
When to give antibiotics for infective exacerbation of COPD?
If requires mech ventilation
If increased sputum purulence and volume or dyspnoea.
How to treat Inf exacerbation of COPD?
Amoxicillin or clarithromycin or doxycycline for 5-7 days.
Corticosteroids
Bronchodilators.
Prevention of inf exacerbation of COPD?
Stop smoking
Annual influenza vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine every 5 yrs.
