Influenza

Disease class: Respiratory tract infections 

Disease class: Viral infections

Also known as

• Flu

 

Pathogens

• Influenza virus A
• Influenza virus B
• Influenza virus C

See also

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Bronchiolitis
• Croup

Risk assessment for Venous ThromboEmbolism (VTE)

Venous thrombosis is a potentially life-threatening, but reversible pathological process. It can progress to thromboembolism, usually producing a pulmonary embolism. The risk of VTE is higher amongst certain patients, but the risk can be modified with pharmacological.

All patients should be risk assessed on admission to hospital. Patients should be reassessed within 24 hours of admission and whenever the clinical situation changes.

Patients who may require intervention include:

• All surgical patients
• Medical patients expected to have ongoing reduced mobility relative to normal state.

 

Factors which increase risk of thrombosis (may indicate anticoagulation)

• Active cancer or cancer treatment 
• Age > 60
• Dehydration
• Known thrombophilias
• Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2)
• Significant medical comorbidities
• Personal history or first-degree relative with a history of VTE
• Use of hormone replacement therapy
• Use of oestrogen-containing contraceptive therapy
• Varicose veins with phlebitis
• Pregnancy or < 6 weeks post-partum
• Significantly reduced mobility for 3 days or more
• Hip or knee replacement
• Hip fracture
• Total anaesthetic + surgical time > 90 minutes
• Surgery involving pelvis or lower limb with a total anaesthetic + surgical time > 60 minutes
• Acute surgical admission with inflammatory or intra-abdominal condition
• Critical care admission
• Surgery with significant reduction in mobility

 

Factors which increase bleeding risk (may contraindicate anticoagulation)

• Active bleeding
• Acquired bleeding disorders (such as acute liver failure)
• Concurrent use of anticoagulants known to increase the bleeding risk
• Acute stroke
• Thrombocytopoenia
• Uncontrolled systolic hypertension
• Untreated inherited bleeding disorders
• Neurosurgery, spinal surgery, or eye surgery
• Other procedure with high bleeding risk
• Lumbar puncture/epidural/spinal anaesthesia expected within the next 12 hours
• Lumbar puncture/epidural/spinal anaesthesia within the previous 4 hours

 

Example of an assessment form

References

1. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2010) Venous thromboembolism: reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in patients admitted to hospital. NICE clinical guideline 92. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Bacterial vaginosis

Disease class: Bacterial infections

This refers to a disturbance of the natural microbiome in the vagina.

 

Symptoms and signs

• Foul vaginal smell

 

Pathophysiology

• Loss of natural lactobacillus bacteria.
• Overgrowth of other bacterial species. 

 

Aetiology

• Usually caused by douching and other excessive hygiene routines. 
• One contributing factor is sexual transmission of micro-organisms. There is a positive correlation with the number of sexual partners and sexual activity.

 

Associated microorganisms / Pathogens

• Gardnerella vaginalis

Plantar fasciitis

Disease class: Fasciitis

Sinusitis

Disease class: Paranasal sinus diseases

Disease class: Respiratory tract infections

Subtypes

• Ethmoid sinusitis
• Frontal sinusitis
• Maxillary sinusitis
• Sphenoid sinusitis

Idiopathic hypersomnolence

Disease class: Disorders of excessive somnolence

Sleep deprivation

Disease class: Dyssomnias

 

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Disease class: Chronobiology disorders

Disease class: Dyssomnias

Types

• Jet lag syndrome

Conjunctivitis

Disease class: Conjunctival diseases

Herpes labialis

Disease class: Herpes simplex

Also known as

Cold sore

Pathogen: Herpes simplex virus 

Otitis externa

Disease class: Otitis

Miliaria

Disease class: Sweat gland diseases

Also known as

• Sweat rash
• Heat rash
• Prickly heat

Pathophysiology

When sweating is initiated, the sweat must be able to drain from the ducts. If they are blocked, milaria results.
Children have less highly developed sweat ducts, so the disease is more likely to occur in young children.

 

Management

Initially, medical assistance should not be sought.

Femoral neck fractures

Disease class: Bone fractures

Disease class: Hip fractures

Management

• Replacement arthroplasty

Hordeolum

Disease class: Eyelid diseases

Also known as

• Stye (if on the external eyelid)
• Hordeola (plural)

This refers to an acute infection of either the glands of Zeis (external eyelid) or the meibomian glands (internal eyelid). 

 

Causes

• Staphyloccocal infection

Dehydration

Disease class: Water-electrolyte imbalance

Management

 

Muscle cramp

Disease class: Muscular diseases 

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Disease class: Dry eye syndromes

Asthenopia

Disease class: Eye diseases

Also known as

Eyestrain

Hypochromic anaemia

Disease class: Anaemia

Types

• anaemia, Iron-Deficiency

Cataract

Disease class: Lens diseases