MENINGITIS Flashcards
(17 cards)
is inflammation of the meninges, which cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis
two main types of meningitis are
*bacterial
*viral
Septic meningitis is caused by
bacteria
are responsible for 80% to 90% of cases of bacterial meningitis in adults.
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria Pneumoniae
The cause of aseptic meningitis is
viral or secondary to cancer or weakened immune system such as HIV
Meningeal infections generally originate in one of two ways:
*bloodstream
*direct spread like traumatic injury to facial bones or secondary to invasive procedures
BBB
Blood-Brain Barrier
are frequent initial symptoms of meningitis
Headache along with fever and chills
can be an early sign of meningitis, any attempts at flexion of the head are difficult because of spasm in the muscles of the neck.
Nuchal Rigidity
when the patient is lying with the thigh flexed on the abdomen, the leg cannot be completely extended.
Kernig Sign
when the patient’s neck is flexed, flexion of the knees and hips is produced
Brudzinski Sign
This finding is common due to irritation of the meninges, especially around the diaphragm sellae.
Photophobia
are key diagnostic tests for meningitis
Bacterial Culture and Gram Staining of CSF and blood
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine be given to youth at
11 to 12 years of age, with a booster dose at 16 years of age
is most often administered intravenously (IV) emergently with suspected bacterial meningitis
Penicillin G in combination with either ceftriaxone or cefotaxime.
has been shown to be beneficial as adjunct therapy in the treatment of acute bacterial meningitis and pneumococcal meningitis.
Dexamethasone
