Meningitis Flashcards
What is meningitis?
Is the Inflammation of the Meninges.
The three layers of the maningies are called?
Dura mater – outside
[Subdural space] – contains CSF
Arachnoid mater – middle layer
[Subarachnoid space] – contains CSF
Pia mater – inner most layer
6 sources of infection of Meningitis?
Cribriform plate defect
Otitis Media
Sinusitis
Mastoiditis
Basal Skull Fracture
Pneumonia
What are the 2 things, How do the Meninges become inflamed?
Infection can be caused by bacteria and viruses.
Invade the meninges via the bloodstream and cause infection
which then will lead to inflammation.
What are the 2 types of meningitis?
1) viral
2) Bacterial
treatment of Bacterial meningitis?
can be life-threatening and will
usually be treated with antibiotics.
treatment of viral meningitis?
Self-limiting can be treated with:
anti-inflammatories,
analgesics,
anti-pyretics.
Antivirals
Do you always see a rash with meningitis?
No.
The rash that you do see, is normally caused by septicaemia.
Assessments to do if suspecting meningitis?
Kernig sign - Difficulty fully extending knee if hip flexed.
Brudzinski sign - neck flexion causes knee flexion.
What can an ambulance give for meningitis?
(ABX) Benzylpenicillin