Photos, facts and fibs... Little monsters
Vol.18, No.06, June 2010

This quiz is just for fun. Identify the photos below, and separate truth from fiction in the questions about Strep A infection and retinal detachment. Answers are below.

1. Know your creepy-crawlies:

Here are four of nature’s most unloveable creatures: Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies); Phthirus pubis (crab louse), Pediculus capitis (head louse), and the American house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae, a common culprit in asthma. Which is which?

2. The following are symptoms of retinal detachment:

True or False

a) bloodshot cornea

b) headache

c) unilateral field loss

d) bilateral field loss

e) floaters

3. The following are symptoms commonly associated with positive throat swab for Strep A, according to the Centor Criteria:

True or False

a) cough

b) tonsillar exudate

c) dysphagia

d) halitosis

e) fever

4. One of these legs is a case of deep vein thrombosis, while one is cellulitis. Which is which?

ANSWER

1. Know your creepy-crawlies: a) Pediculus capitis (head louse); b) Dermatophagoides farinae (American house dust mite); c) Phthirus pubis (crab louse); d) Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies).

2. The following are symptoms of retinal detachment: a) bloodshot cornea = False; b) headache = False; c) unilateral field loss = True, often spreading from one side over a few days; d) bilateral field loss = False; e) floaters = True, often large and of rapid onset.

3. The following are symptoms commonly associated with positive throat swab for Strep A, according to the Centor Criteria: a) False, in fact absence of cough is one of the Centor Criteria used to identify likely cases of Strep A infection; b) True, tonsillar exudate is a Centor Criterion, though the worst exudates are often seen in mononucleosis; c) False, dysphagia is too non-specific to be used as a criterion; d) False, halitosis is also too non-specific; e) True, current or recent fever often indicates that Strep A infection is causing a sore throat.

4. One of these legs is a case of deep vein thrombosis, while one is cellulitis. Which is which? a) Deep vein thrombosis; b) Cellulitis.

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