Condition Lookup

Rhinosporidiosis

Symptoms:
nasal obstruction; chronic nasal discharge; polyp-like growths in the nasal cavity; bleeding from the nose

Root Cause:
Chronic infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, resulting in polypoid growths in the nasal and conjunctival mucosa.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Histological examination of excised tissue.

Treatment:
Surgical excision of lesions; no effective medical treatment.

Medications:
No specific medications; surgical management is the primary treatment.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Endemic in certain regions of South Asia and Africa.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to contaminated water or soil.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with surgical excision; recurrence is possible.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent lesions, secondary bacterial infections.

Acute Rhinosinusitis Empiric Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; purulent nasal discharge; facial pain/pressure; fever; headache; reduced or lost sense of smell

Root Cause:
Inflammation and infection of the paranasal sinuses, usually caused by viral or bacterial pathogens.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history and physical examination; imaging (CT scan of sinuses) in complicated or atypical cases.

Treatment:
Supportive care, empiric antibiotics for suspected bacterial infection, and adjunctive therapies such as nasal saline irrigation and decongestants.

Medications:
First-line empiric antibiotics include amoxicillin-clavulanate (a penicillin-class antibiotic). Alternatives for penicillin-allergic patients may include doxycycline (a tetracycline-class antibiotic) or respiratory fluoroquinolones like levofloxacin or moxifloxacin .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Acute rhinosinusitis is highly common, affecting approximately 1 in 8 adults annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergies, recent upper respiratory infections, smoking, structural abnormalities (e.g., deviated septum).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Viral rhinosinusitis typically resolves in 7-10 days; bacterial cases improve with appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Orbital cellulitis, abscess formation, meningitis, or chronic rhinosinusitis in rare cases.

Acute Rhinosinusitis Organism-Specific Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; purulent nasal discharge; facial pain/pressure; fever; headache; postnasal drip

Root Cause:
Infection of the sinuses by specific organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical signs and symptoms, culture from sinus aspirate (in severe or recurrent cases).

Treatment:
Antibiotics tailored to the identified organism; supportive care as needed.

Medications:
For S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, amoxicillin-clavulanate is commonly used. Alternatives include cefuroxime (a second-generation cephalosporin) or levofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone). For penicillin-allergic patients, clindamycin combined with a cephalosporin may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Similar to empiric acute rhinosinusitis; bacterial cases occur in approximately 0.5-2% of viral sinusitis episodes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunosuppression, incomplete resolution of prior infections, recurrent upper respiratory infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate antibiotic therapy; untreated bacterial infections may progress to complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Orbital cellulitis, abscesses, or intracranial infections.

Acute Sinusitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; purulent nasal discharge; facial pressure; headache; tooth pain; postnasal drip

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the sinus lining due to viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical presentation; imaging studies (CT or MRI) in cases of suspected complications.

Treatment:
Supportive care for viral causes; antibiotics for bacterial cases; antifungals for fungal infections.

Medications:
First-line treatment involves amoxicillin-clavulanate for bacterial sinusitis. Alternatives for allergies or resistance include doxycycline , levofloxacin , or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide antibiotic).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 1 in 7 adults annually in the U.S.; most cases are viral.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, dental infections, smoking, air pollution.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve without complications; bacterial cases respond well to antibiotics.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic sinusitis, orbital or intracranial infections.

Bacterial Pharyngitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
sore throat; fever; difficulty swallowing; swollen lymph nodes; red throat with or without exudates

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the pharynx caused by bacterial pathogens, most commonly Group A Streptococcus (GAS).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for GAS; throat culture as the gold standard.

Treatment:
Antibiotic therapy to eradicate the infection, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications.

Medications:
Penicillin V or amoxicillin is the first-line treatment. For penicillin-allergic patients, alternatives include azithromycin or clindamycin (macrolide and lincosamide antibiotics, respectively).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
GAS causes 20-30% of pharyngitis in children and 5-15% in adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close contact with infected individuals, young age, crowded living conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment; untreated infections may lead to complications like rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rheumatic fever, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, peritonsillar abscess.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis Empiric Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; nasal discharge; facial pain or pressure; loss of smell; postnasal drip; headache; fatigue

Root Cause:
Persistent inflammation of the paranasal sinuses lasting longer than 12 weeks, often due to a combination of infection, allergy, and immune dysfunction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical presentation, physical examination, nasal endoscopy, and imaging studies (CT or MRI).

Treatment:
Initial treatment with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics, nasal corticosteroids, saline irrigation, and sometimes oral steroids. Surgical intervention (e.g., functional endoscopic sinus surgery) for refractory cases.

Medications:
Empiric antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate or doxycycline for bacterial infection; nasal corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone or mometasone ); saline nasal irrigation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-2% of the population globally, with higher prevalence in individuals with allergies or asthma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergies, asthma, smoking, environmental pollutants, nasal polyps, immunodeficiency.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often chronic but manageable with medical or surgical interventions; may require ongoing treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Orbital cellulitis, abscess formation, intracranial infections, and osteomyelitis in severe cases.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis Organism-Specific Therapy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; purulent nasal discharge; facial pain or swelling; fever; chronic cough

Root Cause:
Chronic infection by specific organisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or fungal species like Aspergillus.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Culture and sensitivity testing from nasal or sinus samples, supported by imaging.

Treatment:
Directed antimicrobial therapy based on the identified organism; antifungal therapy for fungal infections.

Medications:
Antibiotics tailored to the organism, such as vancomycin for S. aureus or ciprofloxacin for Pseudomonas. Antifungal agents like voriconazole or amphotericin B for fungal infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than non-specific chronic rhinosinusitis; higher in immunocompromised individuals.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immune suppression, chronic diseases, frequent antibiotic use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the underlying organism and timely initiation of appropriate therapy; refractory cases may require surgery.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Fungal invasion leading to tissue destruction, systemic infection, and life-threatening complications in severe cases.

Chronic Sinusitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
persistent nasal congestion; nasal discharge; facial pain; pressure around the eyes; chronic cough; fatigue

Root Cause:
Chronic inflammation and infection of the sinus linings, often associated with structural abnormalities or immune dysfunction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical exam, nasal endoscopy, and imaging studies.

Treatment:
Combination of antibiotics, nasal corticosteroids, and saline irrigation. Surgery for refractory or complicated cases.

Medications:
Amoxicillin-clavulanate or levofloxacin for bacterial infections; intranasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone or budesonide .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 12% of adults in the U.S. experience it annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergies, asthma, smoking, structural abnormalities (e.g., deviated septum), immunodeficiency.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with appropriate therapy; surgery can provide long-term relief for severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Orbital cellulitis, brain abscess, meningitis, and osteomyelitis.

Herpangina

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
sore throat; fever; painful ulcers in the mouth and throat; difficulty swallowing

Root Cause:
Viral infection, most commonly caused by coxsackievirus A, leading to ulcerative lesions in the posterior oral cavity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination based on characteristic oral lesions and history of fever.

Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration, pain relief, and antipyretics.

Medications:
Analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen ; topical anesthetics like viscous lidocaine for oral pain.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in children under 10, especially during summer and early fall.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, close contact in daycare or school settings.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; resolves in 7-10 days with supportive care.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare but can include dehydration and febrile seizures.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
nasal congestion; facial pain; fever; black necrotic tissue in the nasal cavity; vision loss

Root Cause:
Fungal infection caused by Mucorales species, often in immunocompromised individuals or those with diabetes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Histopathology and culture of tissue samples, supported by imaging (CT or MRI).

Treatment:
Aggressive surgical debridement and antifungal therapy.

Medications:
Antifungal agents such as amphotericin B and posaconazole .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but more common in patients with diabetes, transplant recipients, or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression, trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor without prompt treatment; mortality rates exceed 50% in severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spread to the brain, blindness, and death.

Viral Pharyngitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HEENT Infections

Symptoms:
sore throat; fever; cough; congestion; hoarseness; fatigue

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the pharynx caused by viral pathogens like rhinovirus, adenovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical symptoms; throat swab to rule out bacterial infections.

Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration, analgesics, and rest.

Medications:
Analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen ; throat lozenges for symptom relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Extremely common, especially during cold and flu seasons.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close contact, crowded environments, weakened immune system.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; symptoms resolve in 5-7 days with supportive care.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare but can include secondary bacterial infections or progression to lower respiratory tract infections.