Meningitis - Unit 3 Flashcards
Meningitis - def
inflammation of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Viral Meningitis - usually…
self-limiting and the patient has a complete recovery.
Bacterial Meningitis - potentially life threatening. T/F?
True
Meningitis - is it contagious?
Yup
Viral - caused by…
an enterovirus, herpes virus, etc.
What are signs and symptoms?
Headache (severe), vomiting, fever, Nuchal rigidity (meningisumus - stiff neck), positive Kernig’s and Brudzinski, some neuro problems.
Kernig’s and Brudzinksi’s
Kernig - when you flex a patient’s hip 90 degrees and extend patient’s knee, it causes pain…
Brudzinski’s - flexing neck and it caused hip flexion - because of spinal pain.
How do we diagnose meningitis?
CSF analysis (Lumbar Tap!), CT scan, blood cultures, etc.
Should a patient with possible meningitis be put on isolation right away?
Not until we find out bacteria.
CSF - what should it look like?
If it’s got excess sugar and protein…?
Should be clear - if it’s cloudy, etc…that’s bad
Excess sugar and protein is bad.
Drug Therapy -
Bacteria (Broad-spectrum antibiotic, like Acylclovir - fungus type), Anticonvulsants, Steroids (but they can decrease effectiveness of antibiotics)
Encephalitis - def
Inflammation of the brain tissue surrounding meninges
What causes encephalitis?
Caused by viral agents, bacteria, fungi, parasites - happens a lot in third-world countries.
Encephalitis - degenerates what?
Neurons of the cortex.
What can happen with encephalitis?
Hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, small lacunae in cerebral hemispheres (little hemorrhages)
