1.7: Microbiology Flashcards
True or False:
Most sore throats are bacterial?
False
The majority (over 2/3rds) of sore throats are viral
What is the most common cause of bacterial throat infection?
Streptococcus Pygoenes (Group A Strep)
Treatment for Strep Throat?
Penicillin
Clarithromycin if allergic
Describe how strep pyogenes looks?
Gram Positive Cocci Chains
Beta Haemolysis on blood agar
Describe the acute complications of strep throat?
Quinsy - Peritonsilar Abscess (needs drained)
Sinusitis/Otitis Media
Scarlet Fever
Describe some later complications of strep throat?
Rheumatic Fever - fever, arthritis, endocarditis
Glomerulonephritis
What does this photo show?
Peritonsillar Abscess
Describe Diptheria?
Severe sore throat
Grey membrane across the pharynx
Produces a toxin which is cardiotoxic and neurotoxic
Can lead to respiratory arresst
Uncommon in UK due to vaccination
What condition does this show?
Diptheria (Classic Bulls Neck appearance)
Describe Candida?
Oral thrush
Presents as white patches on red, raw mucous membranes in the throat and mouth
Treatment with Nyastin suspension orally
Describe Acute Otitis Media?
Infection/inflammation of the middle ear by extension of infection up the eustachian tube
Seen in children and babies
Presents with ear ache
What are the most common causative organisms of middle ear infections?
Diagnosis?
Usually viral with bacterial secondary infection
- Haemophilus Infuenza
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Streptococcus pyogenes
Swab of pus if eardrum perforates, it not then no swab
Treatment of middle ear infections?
80% resolve in 4 days without antibiotics
Describe acute sinusitis?
Infection in the frontal or maxillary sinuses
Often seen in patients with upper respiratory viral infections
Usually self limiting
However, severe pain/tenderness and purulent discharge suggests secondary bacterial infection which needs Penicillin
Describe Otitis externa?
Causes?
This is inflammation of the outer ear canal
Often called swimmers ear
Causes red, itchy, painful, swollen ear with some possible discharge and hearing loss
Bacteria; Staph aureus, proteus
Fungal: Aspergillus, candida
What does this photo show?
Fungal Otitis Externa
What does this photo show?
Otitis Externa (Bacterial)
Describe infectious mononucleosis?
Mono/Glandular Fever
Disease of young adults causing fever, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, malaise, lethargy
CLASSIC TRIAD: FEVER, PHARYNGITIS, LYMPHAEDNOPATHY
What does this show?
Symptoms?
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
Fever, personality changes
What does this photo show?
Herpangina
Describe hand foot and mouth disease?
Also caused by Coxsackie virus
Causes fever, malaise, loss of appetite, skin rash and herpangina
Seen in children < 5
Family outbreaks common
Describe Chancre?
Painless ulcers
Can be oral or genital
Primary sphylliss
If untreated can progress to secondary
