Week 2: Minor illness 1/3 Flashcards
influenza
Contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death
causes of influenza
- Spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk
presentation of influenza
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhoea, though this is more common in children than adults.
complications of flu
- bacterial pneumonia
- ear infections
- sinus infections
- worsening of chronic medical conditions e.g. CHF, asthma or diabetes
prophylaxis of influenza
flu vaccine
diagnosis of influenza
- presentation
- rapid influenzas diagnostic test
management of influenza
- antipyretic
- anti-viral – oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
common cold
A mild self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection characterised by nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, sore throat and cough.
causes of cold
- Wide range of virus’ inc rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza
- Can be transmitted in a variety of ways including
- Direct contact
- Small-particle aerosols
- Large-particle aerosols
presentation of common cold
The onset of symptoms is usually rapid, over 1–2 days.
- Sore or irritated throat — often the first symptom, typically has a sudden onset and resolves rapidly.
- Nasal irritation, congestion, nasal discharge (rhinorrhoea), and sneezing — nasal discharge is often profuse and clear, but may become thicker and darker as the infection progresses (although this does not usually indicate that bacterial infection is present).
- Cough develops in about 30% of people, typically after nasal symptoms have cleared.
- Hoarse voice caused by associated laryngitis.
- General malaise.
- Other symptoms are less common and may include:
- Fever — this is unusual in adults and is typically low grade.
- Headache and myalgia — more often associated with influenza rather than the common cold.
- Loss of taste and smell, eye irritability, and a feeling of pressure in the ears or sinuses (due to obstruction or mucosal swelling).
diagnosis of common cold
history
management of common cold
- No know treatment improves the time course of infection
- Symptom relief and rest
- Adequate fluid
- Healthy food
- Adequate rest
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Steam inhalation
management of common cold
- No know treatment improves the time course of infection
- Symptom relief and rest
- Adequate fluid
- Healthy food
- Adequate rest
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Steam inhalation
sore throat can be caused by
- Acute pharyngitis- inflammation of the pharynx
- Tonsilitis- inflammation of the tonsils
- Common cold
- Glandular fever
- Flu
non-infectious causes of sore throat
- GORD
- Drug induced e.g. Carbimazole
- Smoking
- Hayfever
which tool is used to decide whether sore throat is viral or bacterial in origin
- Viral if more systemic symptoms e.g. fever and cough
- Bacterial if localised to tonsils
presentation of otitis media
- Otalgia infants may pull or tug at ear
- Other non-specific symptoms e.g. temp
- Red +/- bulging TM and loss of normal landmarks middle ear cavity full of puss
why are children more susceptible to otitis media
Why are children more susceptible?
- Pharyngotympanic tube is shorter and more horizontal in infants
presentation of Otitis media with effusion “glue ear”
- Looks retracted and TM looks straw coloured
- May see evidence of fluid
