top of page
Search

How to Revise Infectious Diseases for MRCP Part 1

 TL;DR

If you want to know how to revise infectious diseases for MRCP Part 1, focus on common clinical syndromes, antimicrobial principles, HIV/TB patterns, and classic infectious differentials. Use a case-based approach, practise MCQs early, review every explanation, and anchor your learning to guidelines from MRCP(UK), NICE, and UKHSA. A structured revision approach consistently improves recall and exam performance.


Why this matters

Infectious Diseases (ID) appears across multiple domains in MRCP Part 1, shaping questions in neurology, respiratory, gastroenterology, haematology and public health. Candidates often lose marks because they revise pathogens, not patterns—yet the exam rewards recognising clinical constellations and understanding antimicrobial reasoning. A focused, high-yield ID strategy complements your broader preparation, especially if you follow our MRCP Part 1 overview at /mrcp-part-1/.


What Infectious Diseases covers in MRCP Part 1

According to the official MRCP Part 1 blueprint from MRCPUKhttps://www.mrcpuk.org/examinations/part-1the ID content incorporates:

  • Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections

  • Common syndromes (pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, cellulitis, gastroenteritis)

  • HIV and opportunistic infections

  • Tuberculosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary)

  • Sepsis and management principles

  • Antimicrobial stewardship

  • Vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis

  • Global health and imported fevers

  • Infection control in clinical settings

The exam focuses on recognition, differentiation and safe first-line management.


High-yield subtopics (most tested)

1) HIV & opportunistic infections

  • CD4 thresholds for key opportunistic diseases

  • Toxoplasmosis vs primary CNS lymphoma patterns

  • Oral and oesophageal candidiasis

  • PCP prophylaxis indications

Exam clues:

  • Multiple ring-enhancing lesions → think toxoplasmosis.

  • Single mass → think primary CNS lymphoma.

2) Tuberculosis

What to know:

  • Classical CXR features (upper lobe cavitation)

  • Extrapulmonary TB patterns (bone, pericardial, CNS)

  • Isoniazid neuropathy → treat with pyridoxine

  • Rifampicin → major drug–drug interactions (warfarin, OCPs)

3) Sepsis & systemic infections

UK Sepsis Trust: https://sepsistrust.org

Key revision points:

  • Early recognition features: tachypnoea, altered mental state

  • Empirical antibiotics tailored to source

  • Meningococcal red flags (petechiae, rapid progression, shock)

4) Pneumonia & respiratory infections

  • CURB-65 principles (concepts only; not detailed scoring)

  • Atypical pathogens (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila, Legionella)

  • Legionella clues: diarrhoea, deranged LFTs, hyponatraemia

5) Travel & tropical infections

Essential topics:

  • Malaria (P. falciparum emergencies)

  • Dengue (warning signs)

  • Typhoid (relative bradycardia)

  • Leptospirosis (conjunctival suffusion)


Ten high-yield points (quick revision list)

  1. Learn HIV CD4 thresholds and classical opportunistic infections.

  2. Differentiate toxoplasmosis from CNS lymphoma (number of lesions).

  3. Know first-line TB drugs and the main adverse effects.

  4. Remember rifampicin’s significant interactions.

  5. Recognise sepsis early—tachypnoea is often the first sign.

  6. Legionella → diarrhoea + hyponatraemia + deranged LFTs.

  7. Malaria in any returning traveller with fever → urgent smear.

  8. Vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis questions rely on UKHSA guidance.

  9. Always think of listeria in elderly/immunocompromised with meningitis.

  10. Identify red-flag patterns for meningococcaemia.


A compact weekly structure (simple table)

Week

Focus Area

Activities

1

Core bacterial infections

Daily MCQs, short notes, revise antimicrobials

2

Viral infections + HIV

Cases, symptom-pattern mapping

3

TB + travel infections

NICE/UKHSA summaries, practice stems

4

Sepsis + hospital-acquired infections

Timed MCQs, guideline review

5

Mixed revision

Consolidation + mock test

6

Final tightening

Weak-topic review + timed mocks

For more practice, explore Free MRCP MCQs at /qbank/.


Medical student revising Infectious Diseases topics for MRCP Part 1 using textbooks and online notes.

Practical examples / mini-case

Mini-case

A 36-year-old man with HIV (CD4 80) presents with headache, fever, and confusion. CT shows multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the basal ganglia. He recently discontinued prophylaxis.

Most likely diagnosis? Toxoplasmosis.

Explanation: Low CD4 count + multiple ring-enhancing lesions + subacute deterioration strongly point toward toxoplasmosis. Primary CNS lymphoma usually presents with a single lesion and more profound neurocognitive changes.

Common pitfalls (5 bullets)

  • Confusing TB meningitis with bacterial meningitis patterns.

  • Forgetting rifampicin’s major drug interactions.

  • Misinterpreting atypical pneumonias (Legionella vs Mycoplasma).

  • Overlooking tropical infections in returning travellers.

  • Ignoring sepsis red flags during stem interpretation.


FAQs

1) How long should I spend revising Infectious Diseases for MRCP Part 1?

Most candidates spend 2–3 weeks distributed across multiple cycles. Integrate ID practice throughout your MCQ work rather than revising it in isolation.

2) What is the best way to learn antimicrobials?

Focus on classes and patterns, not memorising entire formularies. Recognise classic drug side effects and interactions (e.g., rifampicin).

3) Are tropical infections commonly tested?

Yes—typically 2–4 questions per sitting. Prioritise malaria, dengue, typhoid and schistosomiasis.

4) Should I use guidelines when revising?

Yes. NICE (TB, HIV), UKHSA (travel health), and the MRCPUK blueprint are reliable anchors.

5) Are MCQs enough for ID preparation?

MCQs are essential but insufficient alone. Combine them with brief guideline reviews and case-based learning.


Call to action

Keep Infectious Diseases simple, pattern-focused and grounded in trustworthy guidelines. Strengthen your exam technique with our Free MRCP MCQs at /qbank/ and build timed-exam confidence by starting a mock test at /mock-tests/. For broader preparation, explore our main MRCP Part 1 overview at /mrcp-part-1/.


Sources

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page