Seizure medications (anti-epileptic drugs) are the mainstay of treatment for epilepsy. They are initiated by a specialist, and chosen based on the type of seizure, patient factors, side effects, cost, and drug interactions. Classification according to mechanism Mechanism Examples Sodium channel…
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by idiopathic (75%), recurrent (2 or more), unprovoked seizures. Patients with epilepsy are usually physically normal and asymptomatic between events. It affects 1% of all people by age 20 and 3% by age 75%. Specific epilepsy syndromes Syndrome Age…
Prerenal failure is azotemia caused by poor perfusion of the nephrons. Causes of prerenal failure Pathology Cause Nota bene Reduced vascular volume Haemorrhage, hypovolemia, diarrhoea and vomiting, burns, pancreatitis, hypoaldosteronism (Addison’s disease), third-spacing (hypoalbuminemia) Dehydration and systemic hypotension are the most…
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as kidney damage or decreased kidney function of < 60ml/min for > 3 months. It may be caused by glomerular, tubular or vascular injury, which may be detected on urinalysis, ultrasound or renal biopsy. The classification is based on…
Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection AKA Mycobacterium avium intracellular infection (MAI). Infection is similar to TB (primarily in the lungs, but can disseminate to cause systemic infections). If a patient presents with symptoms and CD4 is in double digits, treat presumptively…
Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP) Previously Pneumocystis carinii. A yeast-like, human-specific fungus that cannot be cultured in vivo.
Opportunistic Infections in HIV/AIDS Any patient with a CD4 count <200 (or who develops any of these infections) will be considered to be in the state of AIDS. CD4 Count (per uL) Opportunistic Infection <500 Thrush, Tuberculosis activation, Kaposi sarcoma…
Overview Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It is one of the few pulmonary infections that can disseminate to other organs if not treated (or contained). It is spread by airborne particles which may be expelled through coughing,…
Pneumonia Pneumonia is a generalized infection of the lung parenchyma Bottom Line Treatment for Pneumonia Type of Pneumonia Treatment Alternative Community-acquired (CAP) 3rd Generation Cephalosporin + Macrolide Fluoroquinolone Hospital-acquired (HAP) Vancomycin + Piperacillin/Tazobactam HIV/AIDS TMP-SMX + Steroids + Cover for…
Pulmonary abscess A pulmonary abscess is a focal, contained infection of the lung parenchyma. Key symptoms include fever, cough, and sputum. Requires a chest X-ray for diagnosis.