Meningitis Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of meningitis?
A
Inflammation of the meninges
Must be notified to the local public health authority
2
Q
How common is meningitis?
A
Around 3200 cases of bacterial meningitis occur in the UK every year
3
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of meningitis?
A
- Children
- Elderly
- Infection – via ear infections, nasopharynx, cranial injury, congenital meningeal defect, CFS shunts, bloodstream spread
- Intrathecal drugs
- Malignant cells
- Blood e.g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
4
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of meningitis?
A
Acute bacterial meningitis • Headache • Neck stiffness • Fever – develops over minutes-hours • Photophobia • Vomiting • +ve Kernig’s sign • +ve Brudzinski neck sign • Papilloedema • Non blanching rash/purpuric skin rash = meningococcal septicaemia • Signs of shock = meningococcal septicaemia
5
Q
What diseases present similarly to meningitis?
A
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Migraine
- Viral encephalitis
- Cerebral malaria
6
Q
What investigation are conducted for suspected meningitis?
A
- LP – CSF microscopy
- Bacterial
- Purulent appearance
- ↑ neutrophils
- ↑ protein
- ↓ glucose
- Viral
- Clear appearance
- ↑ lymphocytes
- ↓ protein
- ↑ glucose
- Head CT
- Blood cultures
- Blood glucose
- CRP
- Coagulation screen
- PCR for N. meningitidis
- Chest x ray
- Viral and syphilis serology
7
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for meningitis?
A
- Benzylpenicillin/cefotaxime – if bacterial
- Dexamethasome – bacterial meningitis
- Aciclovir – only if given early in viral meningitis
- IV fluids – if septic
- Inotropes – if septic
- Meningiococcal group C and haemophilus influenza – preventative childhood vaccinations
8
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for meningitis?
A
• Supportive measures – if viral
