week 1 microbiology Flashcards
name some common ENT infections
Infections of throat and pharynx
Infections of middle ear and sinuses
Infection of outer ear
Viral ENT infections
what are red flags for sore throat. what to do?
stridor or respiratory difficulty is an absolute indication for
admission to hospital, and attempts to examine the throat should be avoided
what are two causes of pain at the back of the mouth?
Acute pharyngitis: inflammation of the part of the throat behind the soft palate (oropharynx).
Tonsillitis: inflammation of the tonsils.
what are infections of the throat and pharynx cause by?
Caused by a viral or bacterial infection
Non-infectious causes are uncommon (GORD, chronic irritation from cigarette smoke, alcohol, or hay fever).
who does acute throat infections most commonly affect? course of infection?
in children aged 5–10 years and in young adults aged 15–25 years
resolve in 3-7days irrespective of cause
complications of sore throat
Otitis media (most common),
peri-tonsillar abscess (quinsy),
parapharyngeal abscess,
mastoiditis
diagnosis of sore throat? what to do if sore throat persists?
throat swabs not routine.
If sore throat and lethargy persist into the second week, especially if the person is 15-25years of age, infectious mononucleosis should be suspected.
- less common cause = HIV, gonococcal pharyngitis, and diphtheria.
common cause of sore throat
usually not life-threatening and include common cold, influenza, streptococcal infection
how to manage sore throat?
Giving simple advice = e.g. regular use of paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and fever, avoidance of hot drinks, adequate fluid intake to avoid dehydration, and the use of simple mouthwashes (e.g. warm salty water) at frequent intervals until the discomfort and swelling subside.
identify people who are IS
what should you use to decide if should give antibiotic treatment for sore throat
The Centor clinical prediction score :
[-tonsillar exudate
. tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
. history of fever
. absence of cough.]
what are the red flats needing referral for a sore throat?
- Throat cancer is suspected (persistent sore throat, especially if there is a neck mass)
- Sore or painful throat lasts for 3 to 4 weeks. There is pain on swallowing or dysphagia for more than 3 weeks
- Red, or red and white patches, or ulceration or swelling of the oral/pharyngeal mucosa persists for more than 3 weeks
- Stridor / respiratory difficulty is an emergency
how to treat bacteria sore throat? what percentage of sore throats are viral?
2/3rd viral
penicillin, and contact/droplet precautions
what is commonest bacterial cause of sore throat and what is clinical finding?
The most common BACTERIAL cause is Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A streptococcus, or Group A Beta Haemolytic Strep)
Clinical: acute follicular tonsillitis
what are the complications of a Streptococcal sore throat?
Rheumatic fever:
3 weeks post sore throat
fever, arthritis and pancarditis
Glomerulonephritis:
1-3 weeks post sore throat
haematuria, albuminuria and oedema
what bacteria causes diphtheria?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
PC of diphtheria? why is it not see in UK?
severe sore throat with a grey white membrane (psuedomembrane) across the pharynx. The organism produces a potent exotoxin which is cardiotoxic and neurotoxic.
Vaccine preventable
what is the diphtheria vaccine made from? how to treat current diphtheria infection?
Vaccine - the vaccine is made from a cell-free purified toxin extracted from a strain of C. diphtheriae, a toxoid vaccine
Treatment: antitoxin and supportive and penicillin / erythromycin
what causes oral thrush?
Candida albicans
PC of oral thrush?
white patches on red, raw mucous membranes in throat/ mouth
cause of oral thrush?
antibiotics, steroid (endogenous), IC (HIV, meds…)
treatment of oral thrush?
(topical) nystatin (anti-fungal)
what is acute otitis media?
An upper respiratory infection involving the middle ear by extension of infection up the Eustachian tube
who does acute otitis media commonly affect? PC?
infants + kids
earache, discharge if burst ear drum, hearing loss, fever
infections of middle ear/ acute otitis media causative organisms?
Often viral with bacterial secondary infection
Most common bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pyogenes, Moraxella
how to diagnose acute otitis media?
swab of pus if eardrum perforates – otherwise samples can’t be obtained
treatment of infections of inner ear?
80% resolve in 4 days without antibiotics. - so NSAID + paracetamol
First line – amoxicillin
Second line – erythromycin
AB: if <2, bilateral, ear drum rupture, IC/unwell, symptoms >4 days
acute sinusitis PC of viral infection? bacterial?
Mild discomfort over frontal or maxillary sinuses due to congestion often seen in patients with upper respiratory viral infections.
However, severe pain and tenderness with purulent nasal discharge indicates secondary bacterial infection
treatment of acute sinusitis
Av. length illness 2.5 weeks. Reserve antibiotics for severe/deteriorating cases of >10 days duration.
1ST LINE penicillin V
2ND LINE doxycycline – NOT IN CHILDREN!!!
what is otitis externa?
Inflammation of the outer ear canal