Meningitis

Question 1

What is meningitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the meninges - particularly the 2 inner layers (leptomeninges)

Question 2

What are the 3 layers of the meninges?

Answer 2

Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

Question 3

How is meningitis triggered?

Answer 3

Infection
Adverse reaction to medication

Question 4

How does meningitis spread?

Answer 4

Pathogen directly enters the skull or spinal column and penetrates the meninges - ending up in the cerebral spinal fluid. Can enter through the blood and enter the endothelial cells by binding to surface receptors or finding areas of damage

Question 5

What are the causes of meningitis?

Answer 5

Bacteria - N meningitidis, S. Pneumoniae, S. aureus
Viruses - Enteroviruses, mumps, herpes simplex, HIV, Epstein-Barr
Fungi - Candida, cryptococcus

Question 6

How do people with meningitis present?

Answer 6

Headache, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, irritability, joint/muscle pain anorexia, neck stiffness

Question 7

What is the Kernig’s sign?

Answer 7

A test for meningitis - flex the patients hip 90 degrees then extend the patient’s knee - this will cause pain

Question 8

What is the Brudzinksi sign?

Answer 8

A test for meningitis - flexing the patient’s neck causes flexion of the patient’s hips and knees

Question 9

What is the tumbler test?

Answer 9

Press the side off a glass firmly against the rash to see if it fades under pressure

Question 10

What is benzylpenicillin?

Answer 10

An antibiotic given to patients with suspected meningococcal disease with the presence of a non-blanching rash and signs and symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia

Question 11

What are the contraindications of benzylpenicillin?

Answer 11

Known severe penicillin allergy

Question 12

What is the dosage of benzylpenicillin?

Answer 12

IM - 1.2g (4ml)
IV - 20ml