Meningitis, encephalitis Flashcards
1
Q
Common causes of meningitis in newborns
A
- Group B strep
- Strep pneumonia
- Listeria
- E Coli
2
Q
Common causes of meningitis in babies and children
A
- Group B strep
- Strep pneumonia
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Hib
3
Q
Common causes of meningitis in teens
A
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Strep pneumonia
4
Q
Common causes of meningitis in elderly
A
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Group B Strep
- Strep pneumonia
- Listeria
- Hib
5
Q
Common causes of meningitis in immunocompromised
A
- Mycobacterium TB
- Listeria
- Fungal
6
Q
Contraindications to lumbar puncture
A
- Raised ICP
- Infection over needle site
- Clotting problems
7
Q
How to confirm raised ICP before performing a LP
A
CT head
8
Q
Signs of raised ICP
A
- intense headache, worse on lying flat
- papilloedema
- focal neurology
- decreased GCS
- seizures
9
Q
3 components of Cushing’s reflex
A
- High BP
- Bradycardia
- Irregular breathing
10
Q
Why does raised ICP cause Cushing’s reflex
A
- raised ICP activates sympathetic response –> artery constriction –> high BP
- Baroreceptors detect high BP –> bradycardia
- Raised ICP increases pressure on brainstem –> brainstem controls involuntary breathing –> irregular breathing
11
Q
How to tell difference between meningitis and encephalitis
A
- encephalitis has milder fever, headache
- encephalitis has seizures more often
- encephalitis has behaviour change (not meningitis)
- encephalitis has focal neuro deficits eg speech change
12
Q
What a/b is given for suspected meningitis
A
Ceftriaxone 2g stat
13
Q
What a/b is given for confirmed meningitis
A
Benzylpenicillin (in community)
or
Ceftriaxone
14
Q
What antiviral is given for encephalitis
A
Aciclovir
