infectious diseases

An 85-year-old man from a nursing home presents with new confusion, mild cough, and temperature 37.9°C. Chest X-ray shows a right lower lobe infiltrate. He has dysphagia. Considering his presentation and risk factors, which initial antibiotic regimen is most appropriate?

A 28-year-old woman, 18 weeks pregnant, presents to her GP two days after her 5-year-old son developed varicella. She is unsure of her immunity status and is asymptomatic. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management step?

A patient with community-acquired pneumonia has a CURB-65 score of 3. What is the most appropriate management setting?

A 10-year-old boy presents to the pediatric clinic with a history of fever, a rash characterized by erythema marginatum, and migratory arthralgia. His mother reports that he had a sore throat about three weeks ago, which resolved without treatment. On examination, he has a temperature of 38.5°C, a heart rate of 110 bpm, and a faint erythematous rash on his trunk. His joints are tender but not swollen. Given the suspicion of acute rheumatic fever, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A refugee family from Iraq has registered at your clinic, having settled 6 months ago. What is an important consideration for their health assessment in the Australian context?

A 3-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents due to a high fever and irritability. He has had a runny nose and cough for the past two days. On examination, he is lethargic and has a bulging fontanelle. A lumbar puncture is performed, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis shows elevated protein, low glucose, and a high white cell count with a predominance of neutrophils. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 32-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of fever, chills, and right flank pain. She has a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. On examination, she is febrile with a temperature of 38.5°C, her heart rate is 110 bpm, and her blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg. There is tenderness on palpation of the right costovertebral angle. Urinalysis shows pyuria and bacteriuria. What is the most appropriate initial management for this patient?

A 10-year-old presents with a sore throat, fever, and fatigue for 2 days. Examination reveals tonsillar exudates and tender anterior cervical lymph nodes. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 28-year-old man presents to his general practitioner for a routine health check. He reports being in a non-monogamous relationship for the past year. He states he uses condoms inconsistently, particularly within the primary relationship where his partner's HIV status is unknown. He denies any recent febrile illness, rash, or lymphadenopathy. His last HIV test, performed 6 months ago, was negative. He has no other significant medical history. Considering his presentation and reported risk factors, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in his management according to Australian guidelines?

A 45-year-old male with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and ischaemic heart disease, living in a rural Indigenous community, presents with fevers, cough, lethargy, night sweats, and occasional hemoptysis. What is the most appropriate initial investigation for suspected tuberculosis in this patient if he is unable to produce sputum spontaneously?

A patient with community-acquired pneumonia has a CURB-65 score of 3. What is the most appropriate management setting?

A 30-year-old woman presents to her GP with a 2-week history of a persistent cough, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. She has recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia. On examination, she appears thin and has crackles in the upper zones of her lungs. A chest X-ray shows cavitary lesions in the right upper lobe. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 32-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of fever, malaise, and a painful, swollen left knee. She denies any recent trauma or travel history. She has no significant past medical history and is not on any medications. On examination, her temperature is 38.7°C, heart rate is 110 bpm, and blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. The left knee is erythematous, warm, and tender with a moderate effusion, and she has limited range of motion due to pain. Laboratory tests reveal leukocytosis with a left shift. Blood cultures are pending. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A 30-year-old immigrant presents with chronic cough and night sweats. Sputum is negative for AFB. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A 70-year-old woman with a history of diabetes presents with fever, cough, and weight loss. A chest X-ray shows a cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 48-year-old sheep farmer presents to his GP with a two-week history of persistent fever, severe retro-orbital headache, and profound fatigue. He denies cough, shortness of breath, or rash. On examination, his temperature is 38.5°C, pulse 85 bpm, BP 120/80 mmHg. The remainder of the examination, including chest auscultation, is unremarkable. He has not travelled outside the region recently.

A 23-year-old backpacker doing farm work presents with a low-grade fever for 4 days. Q fever is suspected. What is the most appropriate diagnostic method for acute Q fever in Australia?

A 55-year-old man with a history of renal transplant on immunosuppression presents with a 2-week history of low-grade fever, malaise, and dull right upper quadrant discomfort. Physical examination is unremarkable except for mild tenderness on deep palpation of the right upper quadrant. Blood tests show a mild leucocytosis and elevated CRP. Imaging is performed. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, what is the most appropriate next diagnostic step?

A 55-year-old farmer presents with a week of high fever, severe retro-orbital headache, and profound muscle aches. He denies cough, sore throat, or rash. On examination, temperature is 39.5°C, pulse 90, BP 120/80. Lungs are clear to auscultation. Abdomen is soft, non-tender. Initial bloods show mildly elevated transaminases. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 32-year-old male, recent immigrant from a high-TB prevalence country, presents with a persistent cough and night sweats for the past two months. He denies fever or weight loss. Physical examination is unremarkable except for mild, diffuse rhonchi on auscultation. Sputum cultures are pending. A PET-CT scan of the chest was performed, the axial view is shown. Given the clinical context and imaging findings, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A 3-year-old child presents to the clinic with a history of recurrent wheezing episodes, especially during viral infections. What is the most common cause of wheezing in children under 5 years of age?

A 55-year-old patient with a history of solid organ transplant on immunosuppressive therapy presents with a 2-week history of low-grade fever, malaise, and dull right upper quadrant discomfort. Physical examination is unremarkable except for mild tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Blood tests reveal a CRP of 85 mg/L (normal <5), WCC 11.5 x 10^9/L (normal 4-11), and mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase. Imaging is performed as shown. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 55-year-old renal transplant recipient on long-term immunosuppression presents with a 2-week history of low-grade fever, malaise, and dull right upper quadrant discomfort. Physical exam is unremarkable except for mild tenderness. Labs show mild leucocytosis and elevated CRP. Imaging is shown. Based on these findings, what is the most appropriate immediate management step?

Which zoonotic infection is a leading cause of culture-negative endocarditis?

A 55-year-old farmer presents with a week of severe retro-orbital headache, fever, and myalgia. He reports recent exposure to birthing sheep on his property. On examination, he is febrile (39.5°C) and mildly jaundiced. Liver enzymes are elevated (ALT 250 U/L). Chest X-ray is clear. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 28-year-old immunocompetent patient presents with a chronic cough and low-grade fever. Initial investigations, including sputum microscopy, are negative. A PET-CT scan was performed (image shown). What is the MOST appropriate next step?

A 35-year-old man presents to the clinic with a 3-month history of persistent cough, night sweats, and weight loss. He has a history of travel to Southeast Asia six months ago. On examination, he appears thin and has crackles in the upper zones of his lungs. A chest X-ray shows cavitary lesions in the right upper lobe. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 28-year-old male presents with a persistent cough and fatigue. A PET-CT scan was performed. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?

A 3-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department with a high fever, irritability, and a rash. The rash started on his face and has now spread to his trunk and limbs. On examination, he has conjunctivitis and Koplik spots are noted on the buccal mucosa. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 56-year-old gentleman, a gardener and cat owner, presents with 24 hours of pain, swelling, and redness on his right index finger. His temperature is 38.1°C and pulse is 72. Suspected gout. What is the most appropriate next step?

A 30-year-old woman presents with fever, hemoptysis, and night sweats. A chest X-ray shows a round lesion with an air-fluid level. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 28-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a 2-week history of fever, night sweats, and a non-productive cough. She has recently returned from a trip to rural Queensland. On examination, she has crackles in the right upper lung field. A chest X-ray shows a cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 65-year-old man with a history of COPD presents with fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath for 3 days. On examination, he has crackles in the right lower lung field. A chest X-ray shows a right lower lobe consolidation. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, newlyweds, are planning a 3-week trip to South America. The woman is not on oral contraceptives and wants to conceive. They are concerned about Zika. What advice can you provide?

A 30-year-old recent immigrant from a high-TB prevalence country presents with a persistent cough and night sweats for 2 months. Sputum cultures are negative for acid-fast bacilli. A PET-CT scan was performed, and an image is shown. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A 32-year-old male, recent immigrant from a high-TB prevalence country, presents with a persistent cough and night sweats for the past two months. He denies fever or weight loss. Physical examination is unremarkable except for mild scattered rhonchi on auscultation. Sputum cultures are negative for acid-fast bacilli. A PET-CT scan of the chest is performed, the axial view is shown. Given the clinical context and imaging findings, what is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A 55-year-old renal transplant recipient on long-term immunosuppression presents with a 2-week history of low-grade fever, malaise, and dull right upper quadrant discomfort. Physical exam is unremarkable except for mild tenderness. Labs show mild leucocytosis and elevated CRP. Imaging is shown. What is the most appropriate next step to determine the specific aetiology of the findings?

A 10-year-old presents with a sore throat, fever, and tonsillar exudates. Rapid strep test is negative. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

A 59-year-old lady with a past history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension, and no smoking history, presents with a 3-month history of cough, blood-tinged sputum, night sweats, and a 5 kg weight loss. What are the most appropriate initial investigations for the likely diagnosis?

A patient presents with severe community-acquired pneumonia. Which initial investigation is most crucial for guiding immediate management?

A 35-year-old healthcare worker has a positive tuberculin skin test (12mm induration) following a known occupational exposure. Her chest X-ray is clear, and she reports no symptoms. Which is the most appropriate next step in management?

A child has a sore throat and fever. Centor criteria are 3/4. What's the next step?

A 5-year-old boy presents with wheezing, shortness of breath, and a history of recurrent respiratory infections. His symptoms worsen with exercise and during the night. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 35-year-old man presents to the clinic with a 3-month history of fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats. He also reports a persistent cough that has recently become productive of blood-streaked sputum. He has no significant past medical history and is not on any medications. He recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia. On examination, he is febrile and has bilateral crackles in the upper lung fields. A chest X-ray shows cavitary lesions in the upper lobes. What is the most likely diagnosis?

For severe community-acquired pneumonia requiring ICU admission, which adjunctive therapy is recommended?

A 58-year-old farmer presents with a 10-day history of fever, severe retro-orbital headache, myalgia, and profound fatigue. He denies cough or sore throat. Examination reveals mild scleral icterus. Liver function tests show elevated transaminases. He works closely with sheep and cattle. What is the most likely diagnosis?

An 80-year-old presents with CAP. CURB-65 score is 3. What is the most appropriate initial management?

A 62-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes presents with fever, RUQ pain, and recent travel to a rural area. Lab results show elevated ALP and GGT. Imaging is performed. What is the MOST appropriate next step in management?

A 1-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with a 3-day history of cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The child has a fever of 38.5°C and a runny nose. On examination, the child appears in mild respiratory distress with nasal flaring and intercostal retractions. Auscultation reveals diffuse wheezing and crackles throughout the lung fields. The child has no significant past medical history and is up to date with vaccinations. A chest X-ray shows hyperinflation but no focal consolidation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 25-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a 2-week history of fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands. She also reports a low-grade fever and mild headache. On examination, she has cervical lymphadenopathy and mild splenomegaly. A monospot test is positive. What is the most appropriate advice regarding her physical activity?