Meningitis Flashcards
Underlying cause of subcutaneous haemorrhage in non-blanching rash
DIC
Meningococcal meningitis is confirmed when
Bacteria infecting meninges + CSF
Definition of meningococcal septicaemia
Meningococcus bacteria infection in bloodstream
Bacterial meningitis common causes in adult + children
- N meningitidis
- strep pneumoniae
Bacterial meningitis common cause in neonates
Group B strep
Buzzwords for bac meningitis
- neck stiffness
- photophobia
- non-blanching rash
- vomiting
Neonates non-specific symptoms of bac meningitis (to be aware of)
- bulging fontanelle
- hypotonia
- poor feeding
- lethargy
- hypothermia
LP is indicated in <1m and <1yr if they have
Fever
LP is indicated in 1-3m if they have
Fever + unwell
Kernig’s test confirms meningitis if (2)
- spinal pain
- resistance
Brudzinski’s test confirms meningitis if
Severe neck stiffness when hips and knees are flexed
Community Abx bac meningitis
IM/IV benzylpenicillin
Hospital Abx (& steroids) bac meningitis
- cefotaxime + amoxicillin
- vancomycin
- dexamethasone
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Single dose ciprofloxacin
3 viruses that cause meningitis
- HSV
- enterovirus
- VZV
Supportive Tx viral meningitis
Acyclovir
Cloudy appearance in CSF suggests what type of meningitis
Bacterial
Clear appearance in CSF suggests what type of meningitis
Viral
Increased protein in CSF indicates what type of meningitis
Bacterial
Decreased glucose in CSF indicates what type of meningitis
Bacterial
Neutrophilia in CSF Indicates what type of meningitis
Bacterial
Lymphocytes in CSF Indicates what type of meningitis
Viral
Key complications of meningitis
- hearing loss
- seizures
- cognitive impairment
- memory loss
- focal neurological deficits
