5. Meningitis Flashcards
1
Q
How common is it?
A
Rare
1 in 100,000
2
Q
What causes it?
A
Meningococcus ABCWXYZ Hib Pneumococcus Mumps Herpes simplex
3
Q
What risk factors are there?
A
Having a weakened immune system
Being elderly / young
Shared living spaces (spread through coughing, sharing utensils, kissing)
4
Q
How does it present?
A
Fever Vomiting Headache, confusion Photophobia Non-blanching rash Stiff neck Drowsiness
5
Q
How would you investigate?
A
FBC, U+Es, blood culture
Lumbar puncture
Head CT
6
Q
What signs may the patient show on examination?
A
Slow cap refill Unusual skin colour Tachycardia, hypotension Breathing difficulty Decreased conscious level
7
Q
What other conditions might present similarly?
A
Pneumonia Encephalitis Malignancy HIV CNS abscess EBV, enterovirus Platelet deficiencies
8
Q
What treatments are there?
A
IV abx IV fluids Oxygen Dexamethasone Anti-emetics, analgesics
9
Q
What complications are there?
A
Sepsis Epilepsy Hearing, vision loss Loss of limbs Memory, behavioural and movement problems
