Meningitis, Fifths disease and Glandular fever

Question 1

What is meningitis?

Answer 1

bacterial or viral infection
- is highly contagious

Question 2

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 2

non-specific flu-like symptoms
- fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, cold extremities, light sensitivity, stiff neck, lethargy, muscle and joint pain, pale and mottled skin, confusion, fits/seizures

rash
- starts as small red pinpricks then becomes red and purple blotches
- do not blanch

Question 3

What are the symptoms of meningitis in babies?

Answer 3

vomiting, refusing feeds, floppy and unresponsive, high pitch moan/cry, bulging soft spot on the head (fontanelle)

Question 4

What is the treatment for meningitis?

Answer 4

requires hospital treatment
- antibiotics

Question 5

What is fifths disease?

Answer 5

also known as slapped cheek disease
- viral infection

Question 6

What is the symptoms of fifths disease?

Answer 6

flu-like symptoms
- fever, sore throat, joint pain, runny nose and headache

rash appears as a bright red scald on one or both cheeks
- can spread to the chest, arms and legs appearing raised, pink and may be itchy

Question 7

What is the treatment for fifths disease?

Answer 7

no cure - only symptomatic treatment

fluids and rest
paracetamol and/or ibuprofen or pain and fever

Question 8

When are people able to freely socialise with fifths disease/slapped cheek syndrome?

Answer 8

people are not infectious once the rash develops

Question 9

What is glandular fever/infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 9

also known as the kissing disease
- viral infection caused by the Epstein-bark virus

Question 10

What are the symptoms of glandular fever?

Answer 10

take 1-2 months to develop

sore throat
swollen glands - neck, axillae/armpits
flu-like symptoms - fever, muscle aches, headaches, malaise, loss of appetite, chills and sweats

wide spread rash may occur but fades quickly

Question 11

What are the difficulties associated with glandular disease?

Answer 11

is difficult to diagnose
- requires a blood test

antibiotics cannot be used
- can cause a measles-like rash to develop
= flat red spots that can merge to form patches

Question 12

What is the treatment for glandular fever?

Answer 12

no cure, only symptomatic treatment

paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever
fluids and rest