Meningitis

Question 1

what is meningitis

Answer 1

infection which causes inflammation of the meninges

meninges- (pia and arachnoid mater) coverings of the brain

Question 2

what are the MAIN bacterial causative agents of meningitis

Answer 2

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Question 3

what are MAIN viral causative agents

Answer 3

enterovirus, HSV, varicella zoster

Question 4

presenting symptoms of meningitis

Answer 4

severe headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, fever, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting

non blanching rash (when you apply pressure to it, it doesn’t go away)

Question 5

what do focal neurological signs suggest

Answer 5

raised ICP

Question 6

signs of meningitis on examination

Answer 6

kernigs sign and brudzinski sign

Question 7

investigations to do for meningitis

Answer 7

blood test, arterial blood gas, blood cultures, CT brain, lumbar puncture, CSF analysis

Question 8

management of meningitis

Answer 8

IV empiric antibiotic therapy - ceftriaxzone

IV fluids and resuscitation