Viral infections of upper respiratory tract

Question 1

What are the different viruses which can cause URTIs?

Answer 1

Rhinoviruses
Parainfluenza viruses
Coronaviruses
RSV
Adenoviruses
Enteroviruses

Question 2

What are the likely causes of tonsilitis/pharyngitis?

Answer 2

Adenoviruses

Strep. pyogenes

Question 3

What are the likely causes of Mono (aka. glandular fever)?

Answer 3

Pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, fever + malaise

EBV, Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis, HIV

Question 4

What are the different viruses which can cause LRTIs?

Answer 4

Influenza viruses
Respiratory syncytial virus
Varicella Zoster virus
Measles virus
Cytomegalovirus
SARS/MERS/Coronaviruses

Question 5

What is the structure of the influenza genome?

Answer 5

-ve ssRNA genome
8 segments for 11 proteins
segments 4 and 6 are key

Question 6

Which type of influenza virus can infect humans?

Answer 6

type A

Question 7

Which patients are high risk in influenza?

Answer 7

Pre-existing Lung, cardiac, renal, endocrine or liver diseases
Immunodeficient
Aged over 65
Pregnant women
Obese patients
Children

Question 8

What is the structure of the RSV genome?

Answer 8

-ve ssRNA genome

9 proteins

Question 9

What does RSV cause?

Answer 9

Bronchiolitis + Pneumonia in infants

Question 10

What is the structure of the coronavirus’ genome?

Answer 10

+ve ssRNA genome

>30kB with 2 ORFs

Question 11

What does CoV bind to?

Answer 11

ACE2 receptors in the RT