Pharyngitis Case Study

Streptococcus pharyngitis is a bacterial infection of the throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus. It can causes throat pain, difficulty with swallowing, red and swollen tonsils which can be accompanied with white patches or streaks of pus, red spots on the palate, swollen lymph glands in the neck, fever, headache, rash, stomach ache, and fatigue. It can lead to more serious conditions such as scarlet fever, inflammation of the kidneys, and rheumatic fever. When Streptococcus pharyngitis is suspected, usually a rapid antigen test is run but a throat culture also needs to be done. Treatment is usually Penicillin and Amoxicillin for children. Nursing intervention for Streptococcus pharyngitis is to make sure the patient gets plenty of rest and also to push fluids to keep the back of the throat lubricated and to prevent dehydration (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/basics/definition/con-20022811).

Staph are common bacteria that are denizens of the human body. It is perfectly fine to carry staph; a lot of healthy people hold it within their bodies without being infected by it. Furthermore, one third of the population has staph bacteria in their noses. However, staph can rapidly become quite a problem if it manages to enter the body, usually through a cut, and cause an infection. Staph is one of the most popular causes of skin infections in the U.S. Most infections are minor, not fatal, and don’t require special treatment, but some can be disastrously life-threatening, creating festering wounds or pneumonia.

Tonsillitis can be described as the inflammation of the non-encapsulated lymphoid structures, lingual and palatine tonsils. These lymphoid tissues are part of the immune system and are the first line of defence against pathogens in the oral cavity. The palatine and lingual tonsils are located underneath the stratified squamous epithelial mucosa of the tongue and oropharynx. The tonsils’ response to bacterial or viral infections of the epithelial mucosa, e.g. streptococci and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils and antibody responses, largely IgA. Symptoms of tonsillitis include Sore throat and fever.

Ms. T is an eight year old African American female that presents to Dr. Bill’s Kids today with complaints of her tonsils bothering her again. She has been to this office three times in the past three months with complaints of swollen tonsils and painful swallowing. Each time, she has tested positive for Group A Streptococcus also known as GAS. Her mother is with her today and reports that she had strep throat in the past multiple times about two or three times a year, but it is becoming much more frequent. She began complaining of scratchy throat in the morning and at night, but the symptoms quickly progressed to painful swallowing of solids and liquids. Popsicles are the only thing she will even consider eating at this time because they alleviate the pain.

Otitis Externa is most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Acute otitis media can be caused by bacterial or viral pathogens. Some of the pathogens associated with acute otitis media (AOM) include, S. pneumoniae, H. influenza, M. catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The common cold or rhinosinusitis is likely caused by rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (Burns, Dunn, Brady, Starr, & Blosser, 2013). Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) is a result of the S. pneumoniae, H. influenza, M. catarrhalis and/or B-hemolytic streptococci bacterias. Sore throats or acute pharyngitis is 90 percent of the time caused by a viruse. Bacterial sore throats are often a result of the group A streptococci bacteria. According to Burns et al., 2013, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, groups C and G streptococci, and Arcanobacterium hemolyticum can cause acute pharyngitis. Pathogens that typically cause infections of the tonsils include B-hemolytic streptococci, group D streptococcus, and S. pneumonia (Burns, et al., 2013). The pathogens involved in acute cervical adenitis include B-hemolytic strep, staphylococcus, B. heneslae, viruses, and atypical

Strep Throat is an infection of the tonsils and pharynx. Its symptoms include: sore throat, high fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes and trouble swallowing. This disease usually effects school aged children. It is very contagious, and is spread through close contact with those individuals coughing and sneezing. Once strep is identified as the pathogen, with a rapid strep test, the doctor will prescribe a drug in the penicillin family as treatment. Penicillin attacks the cell wall of the bacteria as it is trying to replicate. This decreases the amount of new bacteria forming in the body, giving the immune system time to attack the foreign agent.

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the trachea into the lungs. The thin mucus lining of these airways can become irritated and swollen; the cells that make up the lining may leak fluids in response to the inflammation. Bronchitis most often occurs during the cold and flu season usually coupled with an upper respiratory infection. Bronchitis can be divided into two categories: acute or chronic each of which has distinct etiologies, pathologies, and therapies. I chose this condition because it seemed like an interesting topic to research on, and I am also interested in learning more

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram positive bacterium. It is accountable for numerous conditions when it crosses the threshold into the human body. The bacterium may also be referred to as a ‘Staph infection’. There are more than 28 different types of staphylococcus aureus that are responsible for cellulitis, blood poisoning, and various others. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also a type of staphylococcus aureus. Staph infections are curable with different antibiotics.

Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as strep throat, is an infection in the back of the throat and tonsils that causes pain, fever, red and enlarged lymph nodes, and in some cases a sandpaper-like rash known as scarlet fever. This infection typically takes one to three days to breakout after exposure and the symptoms last seven to ten days. Streptococcal pharyngitis is treated with antibiotics and pain medication. Streptococcal pharyngitis is caused by a bacteria known as group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. It is spread through direct or close contact with the bacteria. This is the reason that the infection spreads so rapidly in schools or other crowded areas.

Diagnostic Plan: Laboratory evaluation for Viral Pharyngitis is limited, however, identification for group A b-hemolytic streptococcus infection may be needed in order to treat the patient appropriately. Laboratory include a rapid screening test for streptococcus if the result is negative a throat culture is obtained (Dains, et. al., 2016).

Staphylococcus aureus, a microorganism, is the leading cause of today’s infection in the hospital setting in the US. The optimal growth conditions consist of moist, warm, dark environments. On humans, it is usually found in the nares, groin, and axilla. In 1941, the antibiotic penicillin was discovered and was used to treat S. aureus infections. This

Acute tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils secondary to an infectious process causing painful swallowing and is more commonly attributed to a viral cause rather than bacterial (Shepherd, 2013). A physical assessment of the tonsils may reveal an increase in size with edema and erythema. This is often associated with upper respiratory symptoms like, headache and cough (Shepherd, 2013). Another diagnosis is pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is also a sore throat which is secondary to inflammation noted at the back of the throat and associated with complaints of pain when swallowing (Shepherd, 2013). Viral pharyngitis is the most common and can be contributed to the rhino or coronavirus which lasts between 5-7 days and presents with associated symptoms like cough, headache, fatigue and mild fever (Ruppert & Fay, 2015). Finally, GABHS or more commonly noted as strep throat is a potential diagnosis. This bacterial infection is most common in children and adolescents. Often individuals present with symptoms including throat pain, fever, chills, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy and exudate noted to tonsils or in the pharyngeal (Ruppert & Fay, 2015). This infectious process in younger children may also present with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain but is not accompanied by cough or nasal

One of the most common places for the spread of infectious diseases are schools and daycare centers. Children can easily contract diseases from infected objects and from other children. Influenza is a viral respiratory illness affecting thousands of children and adults each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 suffer from flu-related complications and end up hospitalized every year. In addition to respiratory illnesses, children also contract gastrointestinal and skin illnesses in schools and daycare centers. Respiratory illness and gastrointestinal illness both rank as major causes of morbidity in young children. Prevention is the best defense against

It is an infection caused by pathogens such as viruses, but more likely bacteria, especially when children are getting sick. In particular, the "responsible" is the number one affection Streptococcus, to be defeated, as we shall see in a moment, with the right

Strep throat is an infection of the tonsils and/or throat caused by the bacteria streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep), and streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, and trouble swallowing. Children may also experience stomachache, vomiting, and headache. Signs of strep throat are white dots on the tonsils, and/or redness in the throat. How is strep throat spread? It can be spread through the air when someone with strep throat coughs, sneezes, or breathes.