W6 27 respiratory infections including tuberculosis Flashcards
What can we split the respiratory tract into?
Upper and lower respiratory tracts
Upper - nasal and oral cavities, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx
Lower - trachea, bronchus, lungs, diaphragm
What is the normal state of the upper and lower RTs?
Upper usually has many bacteria and viruses present at all time but not causing infection
Lower is normally sterile
What defence mechanisms are in the respiratory tract?
Cilia, mucus production, cough, swallow mechanisms, immunoglobulins
When do URTI require antibiotics?
When bacterial aetiology is known or suspected (usually tends to worsen rather than resolve)
Systemically unwell
Features or high risk of complications
Are URTIs common?
Common, short lived, rarely serious, viral aetiology
What is acute coryza?
Nasal discharge, sneezing and cough (prolonged night cough with post-nasal drip)
What happens when there is pharyngeal compared with laryngeal involvement?
Pharyngeal involvement - sore throat
Laryngeal involvement - hoarse/lost voice
What is tracheitis/bronchitis?
Wheeze
When should we be worried about wheezing?
Wheezing upon breathing in = stridor, should prompt rapid investigation/treatment
What should nasal congestion, facial pain/pressure raise the possibility of?
Sinusitis
What are the common infections of the Nasopharynx, oropharynx, ear and larynx and trachea caused by?
(Don’t learn just be aware)
Nasopharynx - rhinoviruses (common cold), S. aureus
Oropharynx - Group A Strep (sore throat)
Ear - haemophilus
Larynx & trachea - parainfluenza
What is an important bacteria of the epiglottis, and what does it cause?
Haemophilus influenza type B
Causes acute onset of fever, sore throat, respiratory diseases
Is Haemophilus influenzae type B still around?
Nearly completely disappeared due to vaccine
What are worrying signs of Haemophilus influenzae type B?
Severe throat infection, with massive oedema of the epiglottis. Illness develops rapidly with high fever and difficult swallowing. AVOID MANIPULATION OF THROAT (call for help - ENT). Drooling and stridor should raise red flags
What is sinusitis and what causes it?
Inflammation of the lining of the sinuses
S. aureus, H. influenzae, and anaerobes (mainly gram +ve)
What is pharyngitis (sore throat/tonsillitis) caused by?
Can be viral or bacterial - difficult to differentiate
Streptococcus pyogenes: Group A streptococcal are most common bacterial cause
What is pharyngitis characterised by?
Inflammation, exudate, fever, tender cervical lymph nodes, red tender sore throat
What are some complications of pharyngitis?
Scarlet fever (characteristic red rash all over body)
Rheumatic fever
Post-strep Glomerulonephritis