Infectious Colitis

Question 1

def

Answer 1

inflammation of the inner lining of the colon by an infectious agent

Question 2

aetiology

Answer 2

most commonly from food poisoning
1 viruses + bacteria
-campylobacter
-shigella
-e. coli
-salmonella
2 parasites
-giardia
3 pseudomembranous colitis
-c. difficile

Question 3

what sort of diarrhoea could be present in infectious colitis caused by viruses or bacteria

Answer 3

diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea

Question 4

what would not normally caused bloody diarrhoea

Answer 4

pseudomembranous colitis by c. diff

Question 5

history

Answer 5

1 diarrhoea >3 a day
2 stool may contain blood or mucus
3 abdominal pain
4 fever

Question 6

examination

Answer 6

1 fever
2 tenderness
3 guarding

Question 7

epi

Answer 7

common in hospitalised patients on antibiotics (c. diff)

Question 8

investigations

Answer 8

1 bloods
-FBC (high WCC)
-faecal calprotectin
2 stool culture + sensitivity