URTIs Flashcards
What are common viral infective agents causing URTIs?
Ebstein Barr Virus Adeno-Virus Influenza A and B Parainfluenza 1 and 3 RSV Rhinovirus
What are common bacterial infective agents causing URTIs?
H Influenzae M Catarrhalis Mycoplasma Staph Aurus Strep Pyogenes Strep Pneumoniae
What are the common URTIs?
Tonsilitis/Pharyngitis Coryza Laryngo-tracheo-bronchitis (croup) Acute Epiglottis Sinusitis Ottis Media Laryngitis
Treatment for tonsillitis?
Penicillin if bacterial
Nothing if viral
Never give amoxicillin as if its caused by EBV can cause amoxicillin rash
What is coryza? What causes symptoms?
Common cold
Inflammation of the mucous membrane in nose
Most common cause of coryza?
Rhinovirus
Is coryza contagious?
Very
Spread via droplets and close contact
Symptoms of coryza?
Tiredness
Slight pyrexia
Malaise
Sore nose
Sneezing and watery discharge
Thick mucopurulent secretions for up to a week
Treatment for coryza?
Let body fight it off naturally
What is another name for coryza besides common cold, why can coryza a problem clinically?
Rhinitis
It can be a prodrome (early symptom/warning sign) for other illnesses
What commonly causes laryngotracheobronchitis/croup?
Viral - Parainfluenza type 1
Is it common and who is most commonly affected by LTB/croup?
Yes it is common
Children under 3
What happens when a patient has croup?
Windpipe swelling
Inflammatory oedema extends to vocal chords and epiglottis causing narrowing of airways
This can cause AFO and cyanosis in most extreme cases
How long does croup normally last?
About 3 days
Symptoms of croup?
Stridor
Hoarse voice
Barking cough
Treatment for croup?
Oral steroids (dexamethasone) Nebulised adrenaline, O2 and fluids if needed
What is acute epiglottitis? Is it common, who does it affect the most commonly?
Life threatening infection of the epiglottis - causes severe AFO (airflow obstruction)
Rare disease
Affects under 5s the most
What can cause epiglottitis?
H. Influenzae type B
Sometime viral
Symptoms of epiglottitis?
High fever
Stridor
Drooling
Treatment of epiglottitis?
Intubation
Antibiotics
Croup vs Epiglottitis
Look the same/ differential’s
Epiglottitis more serious and rare - patients look toxic and unwell
What is ottis media?
A bulging red eardrum
Why is eardrum red in ottis media?
Red due to erythema - should be pink normally
Treatment for ottis media?
Analgesia
Antibiotics make no difference as most cases are viral and they cause more side effects than they help
