Colds and Flu Flashcards

1
Q

Define colds and flu

A

mixture of viral upper respiratory tract infections

self-limiting, but OTCs are available for symptomatic relief

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2
Q

Cold and flu treatment timescale

A

With treatment should resolve within 10-14 days

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3
Q

Symptoms of colds and flu

A

runny/blocked nose (rhinorrhoea)
sneezing/coughing
headaches
high temperature
sore throat: dry and sore (first signs of a cold)
earache with complication of acute otitis media common in children
facial pain/frontal headache (may signify sinusitis)

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4
Q

In cold and flu, what are headaches due to?

A

inflammation and congestion of nasal passage and sinuses

BUT if persisting/worsening frontal headache, may be sinusitis

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5
Q

Referral criteria for colds and flu

A

Persistent high temperature, fever or productive cough
Difficulty breathing/wheezing
heart/lung disease- COPD, asthma, heart disease, compromised immune system, kidney disease
Symptoms not going away after 2 weeks
Earache not settling with analgesic
Been abroad within past year
Pleural-type chest pain (sharp pain that worsens on breathing)
refer all children under 6, elderly and pregnant/breastfeeding women

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6
Q

Lifestyle advice for colds and flu

A
  • Flu likely if >38 degrees Celsius or >37.5 in elderly
  • Minimum of one respiratory symptom or minimum of one constitutional symptom (headache/malaise)
  • It starts abruptly, with sweats and chills, muscular aches, pain in limbs, dry sore throat, cough and high temperature
  • sometimes bedbound
  • encourage flu vaccinations
  • target those >65yrs using PMRs for flu vaccination
  • reducing transmission: routine hand washing, hand sanitizers
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7
Q

cold and flu types of medication

A
Simple analgesics
Oral decongestants 
Antihistamine
Inhalants
Mixture
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8
Q
Paracetamol and ibuprofen for cold and flu 
symptoms 
directions 
warnings/counselling
patient populations
A
Pain relief
Reduces high temperature, aches and pains 
2 tablets PRN up to QDS
No more than 4 doses in 24 hour period 
Suitable for children over 10yrs
Suitable in pregnancy and breastfeeding
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9
Q

Lemsip cold and lemon
active ingredients
indication

A

Sympathomimetics - pseudoephedrine
for nasal congestion
paracetamol

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10
Q

Lemsip directions

side effects

A
1 sachet dissolved in water
every 4-6 hours 
No more than 4 doses in 24 hours 
Side effects:
CNS effects: insomnia, especially with ephedrine
can increase BP and blood glucose levels
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11
Q

Lemsip warnings/counselling

A

Rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound nasal congestion) can occur with topical preparations
Caution in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism
Serious DDI with MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants

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12
Q

Lemsip patient populations

A

> 12yrs only

Not suitable for pregnancy but fine in breastfeeding

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13
Q

Benylin 4 flu tablets
active ingredient(s)
symptoms

A

Antihistamine: diphenydramine
runny nose, sneezing, cough, headaches
Also helps sleep
Antitussive (suppress cough)

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14
Q

Benylin 4 flu tablets

Side effects

A
Drowsiness (chlorphenamine)
Dry mouth
Blurred vision 
Constipation 
Urinary retention
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15
Q

Benylin 4 flu tablets
warnings
counselling
patient populations

A

Not to be taken with alcohol
Caution in epilepsy, liver disease, prostatic hypertrophy and closed-angle glaucoma
Sedating are anti-muscarinic: not for those driving, operators or machinery at work
For >6 only
Suitable in breastfeeding
Fine in pregnancy if on doctor’s advice

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16
Q

Olbas oil, Vicks vapour rub
API
directions
Patient populations

A
Inhalant
menthol, peppermint oil 
blocked nose and sinuses 
2-3 drops on handkerchief or mix in water and inhale 
If 3months-2yrs: 1 drop 
Suitable in pregnancy, breastfeeding
Ok for >3months of age
17
Q

Night nurse liquid

APIs

A

paracetamol
promethazne hydrochloride
dextromethorphan
hydrobromide

18
Q

Night nurse liquid

symptoms

A
tickly cough and sore throat
runny nose
aches and pains 
fevers and shivers
Helps have comfortable, restful sleep
19
Q

Night nurse side effects

A
GI disturbances
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Blurred vision 
Allergic reaction
20
Q

Night nurse warnings

A

This contains paracetamol so don’t take paracetamol on top of this
Phaeochromocytoma
If you are taking certain medicaitons (see other question)

21
Q

Night nurse patient populations

A

> 12yrs only

Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding

22
Q

Night nurse medications not suitable to take with

A
antidepressants
antipsychotics
Hypnotics
Antihypertensives
Cardiac glycosides
Antiemetics
Oral contraceptives
Antiepileptics 
Cholesterol drugs/statins  
Anticoagulants 
any other cold or cough medicine
23
Q

Sudafed day and night (colds and flu)
symptoms
Directions

A

Pain relief, decongestant
Red/yellow=day
blue=night

24
Q

Sudafed day and night directions
warnings
populations

A
2 capsule every 4-6 hours 
2 capsules at bedtime
4 hours between doses 
Day capsule contains caffeine 
>12 years only 
Not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding (double check this)