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2 nd Period: Medical Microbiology Respiratory Infections. Aldo James Rico 5/2/14. Croup (Basic Facts and Overview). Respiratory infection brought on by an infection of the upper respiratory airway Infection leads to the swelling of the throat
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2nd Period: Medical Microbiology Respiratory Infections Aldo James Rico5/2/14
Croup (Basic Facts and Overview) • Respiratory infection brought on by an infection of the upper respiratory airway • Infection leads to the swelling of the throat • It can often be treated with a single dose of oral steroids • Common in the young
Etiology • Viral croup is most common in the age groups of 6 months to 6 years of age • Epinephrine resolves more severe cases • About 1.5 to 6 percent of kids in the US acquire the disease • Parainfluenza viruses are the most common etiological forms of croups • Causative Agent: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) • Common Causes: Viral infection is the most common permutation. Bacterial vectors are the second most common cause.
Epidemiology • Croup affects about 15% of children in the standard age group that affects croup • It accounts for about 5% of hospital admissions in the US • Has been found in people as young as 3 months to 15 years • Standard Age Group: 3 months old to 15 years old • It is restricted to the young group of the population • Common Season: Between October and March
Mode of Transmission • RSV (Croup) is transmitted through oral contact, liquids, and other vectors • Fomites are another mode of transmission
Clinical Symptoms • Clinical Symptoms include: • “Barking cough” • Stridor • Hoarseness • Difficulty breathing • (Note: Croup is usually worse during night time due to changes in the shape of the respiratory system when sleeping)
Diagnostic Tests • Mostly diagnosed due to the common “steeple sign”, or the tendency to crane the neck due to pain in the trachea • Signs of epiglotitis • Laryngoscopy could also be considered for the patient. • There are multiple ways to diagnose, more than these 3
Treatment • The following medicines are the several forms of accepted treatment: • Corticosteroids (Pain relief and lessens swelling) • Epinephrine • Heliox (Gaseous relief medicine, Relieves symptoms)
Important Stuff • Most Severe Form of Croup: Parainfluenza Forms 1 and 3 • X-Ray of Croup will most likely reveal the “Thumb Sign” • Heliox is not better than Epinephrine for the treatment of symptoms
Short Video Supplement • Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTfZWGEmsx8
Prevention • Vaccination or Immunization to influenza and diphtheria. • Washing hands also lowers the infection rate from person to person
The End • “Offro né paga, né quarti, né disposizioni; Offro fame, sete, marce forzate, battaglie e morte. Sia lui che ama il suo paese nel suo cuore e non solo con le labbra mi segua.” • --Giuseppe Garibaldi • Presentation by: Aldo J. Antolini-Rico