Ebola virus is an extremely infectious and highly pathogenic virus of primates that causes Ebola virus disease; the term Ebola haemorrhagic fever is no longer used by WHO as haemorrhage is not a consistent feature of the disease; the first cases were identified in 1976 in the Congo (near the Ebola River) and in Sudan
Handwashing in ICU: nosocomial infection associated with -> increased health costs -> increased morbidity and mortality
Hand hygiene is endorsed by the WHO as the single most important element of strategies to preventing healthcare associated infection (HAI). It is the responsibility of every healthcare worker
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired in healthcare facilities and infections that occur as a result of healthcare interventions, which may manifest after people leave the healthcare facility
OVERVIEW HIV = retrovirus infection -> infection of T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+) and progressively destroys them -> immunosuppression 40 million patients in the world 2 types: HIV 1 and HIV 2 (West Africa) modes of transmission: sexual intercourse, mother to child…
Infectious Diseases Literature Summaries
OVERVIEW caused by influenza A and B viruses CLINICAL FEATURES fever (>38 C)+/- one systemic symptoms (myalgia)+/- one respiratory symptoms-> 70% chance of having influenza INVESTIGATIONS nasopharyneal viral swab MANAGEMENT Active Treatment neuraminidase inhibitors are of no benefit unless started…
Liver Failure Definitions and Scoring Systems
Gastrointestinal Literature Summaries
Coagulopathy in Liver Dysfunction; defined as INR >1.5 due to liver dysfunction; patients are not 'auto-anticoagulated' - they are often in a procoagulant state!
CAUSES pre-existing liver disease (+/- exacerbation) drug induced (paracetamol, statins, amiodarone, antibiotics, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, ranitidine, volatiles) ischaemic (post clamping above hepatic artery, thrombosis, embolic, hypotension) surgical injury nutrition (TPN, EN) acalculous cholecystitis transfusion related hepatitis ASSESSMENT History pre-operative liver function…
Military Anti-Shock Trousers (MAST): inflatable trousers once recommended for exsanguinating pelvic injury, now considered obsolete; aka "pneumatic anti-shock garments" (PASG)