Central Nervous System Infections Flashcards
Three Layers of the Cranial meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Where is the cerebrospinal fluid?
Sits between the arachnoid mater and Pia mater, this space is called the subarachnoid spaces
Damage to brain and spinal cord can cause
Deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, paralysis, and death.
What does the blood brain barrier (BBB) do?
Protects the Nervous System (spinal cord and brain) from infection from bone and other structures. Protects it from pathogens.
What is meningitis?
Inflammation of the meninges
What is Encephalitis?
Inflammation of the brain
What is Meningococcal disease caused by?
Neisseria meningitidis
How many groups of N.meningitidis are that have been identified?
12
What groups of meningitis are most likely to cause disease? And what one in NZ is most likely to cause disease?
A, B, C, X, Y, and W
In NZ group B is most likely to cause disease, although group W is on the rise.
Where is the meningococcal bacteria commonly carried?
In the nose and throat, although the do not commonly cause disease.
In what age group are carriage rates higher?
Older teenagers and young adults
How is meningococcal disease transferred?
contact with saliva.
What increases the risk of getting meningococcal disease?
Exposure to tobacco smoke, binge drinking, another respiratory illness, living in close proximity to others, being in close contact with someone who carries the disease, age and ethnicity, or a decreased immune system.
Symptoms in infants
more gradual onset, fever, cry, appear unsettled, feed poorly, vomit, sleepy or hard to wake, rash or spots.
Symptoms in adults
Fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and pains, drowsiness, headache, dislike of bright lights, neck stiffness, or rash
