Week 2: Minor illness 2/3 Flashcards
UTI
A lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder (also known as cystitis) usually caused by bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract.
uncomplicated UTI
UTI caused by typical pathogens in people with a normal urinary tract and kidney function, and no predisposing co-morbidities.
complicated UTI
UTI with an increased likelihood of complications such as persistent infection, treatment failure and recurrent infection.
Risk factors for complicated UTI include
- structural or neurological abnormalities of the urinary tract,
- urinary catheters,
- virulent or atypical infecting organisms and co-morbidities such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or immunosuppression.
Pyelonephritis should be suspected in people with
fever, loin pain or rigors
causes of UTI
Most common pathogen is E.coli less commonly Staphylococcus saprophyticus and klebsiella species
RF for UTI
- Sexual intercourse
- PMH of UTI in childhood
- Family history
- Urinary incontinence
- Catheterisation
Presentation UTI
- Dysuria
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Cloudy/ haematuria
- Nocturia
- Suprapubic tenderness
- May be less typical symptoms in older people
diagnosis of UTI
- Urine dipstick: nitrite or leukocyte and RBC positive
- Urine culture should be taken in women who are: pregnant, >65yo, symptoms which don’t resolve with antibiotics
management of UTI
- Self care measures e.g. fluids, pain killers
- First line: Nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim for 3 days
- Second line: penicillin or fosfomycin
thrust
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (genital thrush) is a symptomatic inflammation of the vagina and/or vulva caused by a superficial fungal infection (usually yeasts that belong to the genus Candida)
- Candida yeasts are part of the normal flora of the mucous membranes of the female genital tract, but overgrowth can cause infection
Risk factors for thrush
- Recent antibiotic use
- Local irritants such as soaps/ douching
- Uncontrolled DM
- Immunosuppression e.g. HIV
presentation of thrush
- Vulval or vaginal itching
- Vaginal discharge ‘cheese-like’
- Superficial dyspareunia
- Dysuria
diagnosis of thrush
- Self-collected low vulvovaginal swab if exam of the eternal genitals is not possible or needed
- Consider STI screening
Bacterial vaginosis
Is characterized by an overgrowth of predominantly anaerobic organisms (such as Gardnerella vaginalis) and a loss of lactobacilli.
- BV is not generally regarded as a sexually transmitted infection; however, the prevalence is higher amongst sexually active women (than non-sexually active women), and it is considered by some experts to be ‘sexually associated’.
pH in women with BV
The vagina loses its normal acidity, and vaginal pH increases to greater than 4.5.
RF for BV
- Being sexually active
- Recent change in sexual partners
- Douching and vaginal washes
- Menstruation
- Semen in vagina
diagnosis fo BV
- Speculum exam- white/grey coating on vaginal walls and vulva with fishy odour
- Test pH of vaginal discharge
- High vaginal swab for gram staining
management of BV
oral metronidazole
history of discharge in women (questions to ask)
need to determine if physiological discharge or more likely to be infective
- Characteristics of the discharge (onset, duration, colour, odour, consistency, and associated symptoms)
- Exacerbating factors - such as sexual intercourse
- Relieving factors - prescription or over the counter
- The use of vaginal products such as douches, deodorants and vaginal washes.
- Cyclical symptoms, PMH, DH incl contraceptive use.
- Assess the woman’s risk of STI (sexual partner history, younger than 25 years or age, previous STI)