Viral, fungal, bacterial

Question 1

Measles - characteristics

Answer 1

➤ Measles is caused by a virus which specifically infects the respiratory system

➤ More severe and can be life threatening (children ++)

➤ Results in a red or reddish-brown rash

Question 2

German Measles - characteristics

Answer 2

➤ German measles is caused by a virus, which invades the lymph nodes, skin and eyes

➤ Benign or milder disease, but pregnant woman should be cautious

➤ Include red sports with a white centre known as Koplik spots, in oral cavity

Question 3

Herpes simplex - what is it? Symptoms? Tx?

Answer 3

• Viral
• Contagious ➤ lies dormant – active again
• Symptoms clear within a few weeks without treatment
• Usually mild and will recur
• Oral anti-viral or lifestyle changes
• Can be dangerous for newborns
• HSV1= cold sores
• HSV 2= genital herpes

• Treatment:
o Acyclovir – first line
o Famciclovir, valacyclovir- nephrotoxic
o Lifelong – prevention

Question 4

Plantar warts - Other name? Cause? Contagious? Characteristics? Tx?

Answer 4

• aka verrucas if occur in the foot
• HPV ➤ infects the outer epidermis ➤ epidermis grows thick
• Not highly contagious
• Vary in size
• Will go by themselves otherwise over the counter treatments

Question 5

Shingles - caused by what?

Answer 5

• Herpes zoster shingles (chicken pox varicella zoster virus)
• Chicken pox in the past the virus lies dormant and becomes active again

Question 6

Shingles - who can it infect?

Answer 6

➤ someone who has not had chicken pox

Question 7

Shingles - attacks who?

Answer 7

Attack more likely: elderly, under stress, weak immune system, taking or having treatment that suppresses the immune system

Question 8

Singles - S&S?

Answer 8

o First symptom pain, tingling or burning followed by a rash may also have a pyrexia and a headache
o Red spots turn into small fluid filled blisters, dries and crust will form

Question 9

Shingles - Tx?

Answer 9

o GP
o Paracetamol for pain
o Keep rash clean and dry to reduce infection
o Wear loose fitting clothes
o Cool compress can help
o Can take 4 weeks rash to go
o Avoid: pregnant women, those with compromised immune system, other peoples babies < 1 month

Question 10

Impetigo - who does it affect?

Answer 10

Children

Question 11

Impetigo - Infection caused by what?

Answer 11

Infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus or in hot climates streptococcus pyogenes or a mixture of the two

Question 12

Impetigo - Contagious?

Answer 12

Contagious ➤ touch, bedding, clothes, towels

Question 13

Impetigo - S&S?

Answer 13

Sore and itchy but feel ok

Question 14

Impetigo - Where does it appear?

Answer 14

Most common exposed skin – face, nose, mouth, hands.

Question 15

Impetigo - Characteristics

Answer 15

Groups of thin roofed pus filled blisters ➤ break become crusts.

Question 16

Impetigo - Tx

Answer 16

o Swabbed to determine antibiotics

o But Rx should commence straight away

Question 17

Impetigo.- Recurrence?

Answer 17

➤ need to swab nasal passages

Question 18

Cellulitis - What is it? Caused by?

Answer 18

• Bacterial infection of skin and underlying tissues – streptococcus and staphylococcus

Question 19

Cellulitis - S&S

Answer 19

o Redness
o Pain and tenderness
o Swelling
o Warmth of infected area

Question 20

Cellulitis - Contagious?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Cellulitis - Where does it occur?

Answer 21

Can occur anywhere does not require previous injury

Question 22

Cellulitis - Who is at increased risk?

Answer 22

Diabetic, circulatory problems hepatitis or cirrhosis, skin disorders

Question 23

Cellulitis - can it spread?

Answer 23

Yes ➤ systemic

Question 24

Cellulitis - Tx

Answer 24

Antibio

Question 25

Scabies - What is it? Symptoms? Infectious? Advice & Tx?

Answer 25

• Infestation of mites
• Intense itching
• Starts usually between fingers but then spreads to the whole body
• Very infectious can take up to 8 weeks for rash to appear
• All people in the house need to be Rx
• Pharmacist: permethrin needs repeating if large area oral ivermectin
• All bedding, clothing etc MUST be washed at 50°C or higher on the first day of treatment
• If can not wash clothes needs to be put in a sealed bag for 3 days
• Avoid sexual contact or close physical contact until complete the Rx
• Nothing to do with hygiene

Question 26

Ringworm - What is it? Characteristics?

Answer 26

• Red or silver rash

* It is a fungus

Question 27

Ringworm - Location

Answer 27

• Can appear anywhere on the body:
o	Tinea corporis: ringworm on the body
o	Tinea capitis: scalp
o	Tinea pedis: feet
o	Tinea cruris: groin

Question 28

Ringworm - Tx

Answer 28

clotrimazole, miconazole etc

Question 29

Ringworm - Contagious?

Answer 29

• Highly infectious  person, animals, soil and objects

Question 30

Bullet type rash?

Answer 30

REFER ➤ Can be Lyme’s disease

Question 31

Nail infections - By what? Where? Other infos

Answer 31

• Onchomycosis or tinea unguium
• 10% all adults in Western countries have fungal nail
• Infection
• Increases 20% if over 60 years
• More common on toe nail

➤ Can be a spread from Athlete’s foot.

Question 32

Nail coloration - Types? What are they? Characteristics?

Answer 32

• Whitish/yellowish: Onycholysis ➤ air beneath the nail
• Red/black: haematoma after trauma if no known trauma possible melanoma
• Green nail: Pseudomonas bacteria ➤ foul odour
• Swelling and redness around the nail: paronychia = infection at the cuticle ➤ can be acute – bacteria or chronic- yeast

Question 33

Athletes foot - What is it caused by? S&S? Prevention?

Answer 33

• Tinea Pedia
• Dry-looking skin, itching and burning between toes, scaling or peeling skin
• Contagious
• Prevention: wash feet daily with soap and water, avoid being barefoot, reduce perspiration, change socks and shoes regularly

Question 34

Candida - S&S? Where? Risk factors? Tx?

Answer 34

• Usually asymptomatic on skin- usually transitory
• Mucosal breaks down ➤ infections
• Can occur in skin folds, groin, under the breasts, axillae, umbilical, perineal, neck and eyelids
• More likely where skin rubs, heat and moisture and inflammation
• Other risk factors: immunosuppression (HIV, drugs etc) extremes of age, diseases of the skin eg eczema, endocrine disorders (DM, Cushings syndrome, iron deficiency), poor hygiene
• 20 species
• Soreness and itching can become systemic ➤ systemic hospitalisation
• Otherwise – topical antifungal topical imidazole, for itch TCS (1% hydrocortisone)