Meningitis Flashcards
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an acute inflammation process of the central nervous system’s meninges, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
What are the common causes of meningitis in Europe and tropical countries?
In Europe, bacteria are the most common cause, while in tropical countries,viruses, fungi or parasites are more common.
What is a characteristic symptom of meningitis?
Neck stiffness is a characteristic symptom of meningitis.
What are the potential complications of meningitis?
Complications include increased intracranial pressure leading to brain damage, encephalitis, gangrene in the limbs, deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and cognitive deficits.
How is meningitis treated initially?
Initially, very high doses of antibiotics are administered until the pathogen is correctly identified. Some forms of meningitis may be prevented by immunization.
What are the major symptoms of meningitis?
Major symptoms include headache, fever, neck stiffness, Brudzinski sign, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, sleepiness, confusion, seizures, delirium, coma, and characteristic rash in meningococcal meningitis.
What symptoms may infants with meningitis exhibit?
Infants may have bulging fontanelle, paradoxical irritability, high-pitched cry, and hypotonia.
What tests are used for diagnosing meningitis?
Lumbar puncture for analyzing cerebrospinal fluid, blood tests for markers of inflammation and pathogen determination, CT or MRI scans for assessing complications, PCR testing for detecting meningococcal bacteria, and the “tumbler test” to check for a rash that doesn’t disappear under pressure.
