BI 234 RESPIRATORY DISEASES EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
streptococcal pharyngitis
group A and beta hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes (g+), humans are
reservoir (active cases or healthy asymptomatic carriers). transmitted by respiratory
droplets or contaminated food, particularly unpasteurized milk. inflammation,
fever/chills, sore throat, tonsillitis, swollen lymph nodes, otitis media. detection through
agglutination test, most recover but complications can occur (scarlet fever, rheumatic
fever, acute glomerulonephritis, strep. shock syndrome, etc)
scarlet fever
caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, human reservoir, transmitted via respiratory
droplets. high fever, rash (neck and chest, can feel like sandpaper), enlarged and
reddened tongue. mostly affects children 5-12. treated by antibiotics
diphtheria
caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (g+). Reservoir - healthy carriers, those sick
with diphtheria. transmitted via respiratory droplets. swollen + sore throats, swollen
lymph nodes. cardinal sign = membranous pharyngitis - grayish pseudomembrane
covering composed of mucus, dead cells, microorganisms, fibrous material. severe
complication = inflammation and membrane may obstruct airway. only infects mucous
, membranes, but produces deadly exotoxin that interferes with protein synthesis by
inactivating ribosomal protein factor (only can be produced by C. diptheriae that have
been infected by bacteriophages carrying tox gene). treatment = erythromycin, exotoxin-
neutralizing antitoxins, poor prognosis if antitoxin therapy is delayed. prevention via
Tdap vaccine
common cold
world's most common infectious disease, 1-3 day incubation, mild form of rhinitis,
sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis. runny nose, sneezing sore throat, mild cough, mild
aches and pain. 7-10 day duration. spread via droplets. 200+ strains, no vaccine.
rhinovirus majority of cases in spring and fall, coronavirus spreads more in winter but
indistinguishable from rhinovirus colds, 4 strains. adenovirus about 5% of causes, very
contagious, year round frequent in young children/infants. treatment = rest, nutrition,
hydration. avoid droplets. complication is croup, infection of larynx and trachea.
pertussis
"whooping cough." Bordella pertussis (g-). very contagious, spread by droplets, cling to
epithelial cilia. dangerous to young children, disruptive to adults and teens. human
reservoir. secretes toxin that paralyzes cilia. 3 stages = catarrhal (mild symptoms),
paroxysmal (labored breathing), convalescent (100 day cough). paroxysm - coughing fit
that empties lungs followed by forced inhalation, last until patient is exhausted or
vomits... up to 15 times per day. very dangerous in young children/newborns. in
adults/teens can cause weight loss, rib fractures, loss of bladder control, passing out,
etc. vaccines recommended, pregnant women who get vaccine can pass immunity to
infant.
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
streptococcal pharyngitis
group A and beta hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes (g+), humans are
reservoir (active cases or healthy asymptomatic carriers). transmitted by respiratory
droplets or contaminated food, particularly unpasteurized milk. inflammation,
fever/chills, sore throat, tonsillitis, swollen lymph nodes, otitis media. detection through
agglutination test, most recover but complications can occur (scarlet fever, rheumatic
fever, acute glomerulonephritis, strep. shock syndrome, etc)
scarlet fever
caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, human reservoir, transmitted via respiratory
droplets. high fever, rash (neck and chest, can feel like sandpaper), enlarged and
reddened tongue. mostly affects children 5-12. treated by antibiotics
diphtheria
caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (g+). Reservoir - healthy carriers, those sick
with diphtheria. transmitted via respiratory droplets. swollen + sore throats, swollen
lymph nodes. cardinal sign = membranous pharyngitis - grayish pseudomembrane
covering composed of mucus, dead cells, microorganisms, fibrous material. severe
complication = inflammation and membrane may obstruct airway. only infects mucous
, membranes, but produces deadly exotoxin that interferes with protein synthesis by
inactivating ribosomal protein factor (only can be produced by C. diptheriae that have
been infected by bacteriophages carrying tox gene). treatment = erythromycin, exotoxin-
neutralizing antitoxins, poor prognosis if antitoxin therapy is delayed. prevention via
Tdap vaccine
common cold
world's most common infectious disease, 1-3 day incubation, mild form of rhinitis,
sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis. runny nose, sneezing sore throat, mild cough, mild
aches and pain. 7-10 day duration. spread via droplets. 200+ strains, no vaccine.
rhinovirus majority of cases in spring and fall, coronavirus spreads more in winter but
indistinguishable from rhinovirus colds, 4 strains. adenovirus about 5% of causes, very
contagious, year round frequent in young children/infants. treatment = rest, nutrition,
hydration. avoid droplets. complication is croup, infection of larynx and trachea.
pertussis
"whooping cough." Bordella pertussis (g-). very contagious, spread by droplets, cling to
epithelial cilia. dangerous to young children, disruptive to adults and teens. human
reservoir. secretes toxin that paralyzes cilia. 3 stages = catarrhal (mild symptoms),
paroxysmal (labored breathing), convalescent (100 day cough). paroxysm - coughing fit
that empties lungs followed by forced inhalation, last until patient is exhausted or
vomits... up to 15 times per day. very dangerous in young children/newborns. in
adults/teens can cause weight loss, rib fractures, loss of bladder control, passing out,
etc. vaccines recommended, pregnant women who get vaccine can pass immunity to
infant.
