Meningitis

Question 1

What is meningitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the meninges, the lining of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 2

What causes meningitis?

Answer 2

Bacterial: Neisseria meningitidis, Strep pneumoniae, H influenzae, Group B Strep/Listeria in neonates
Viral: Enterovirus e.g. Coxsackie, HSV, VZV

Question 3

What type of organism is Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer 3

A gram negative diplococcus bacteria

Question 4

How does meningitis present?

Answer 4

• Fever
• Neck stiffness
• Photophobia
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Seizures

Question 5

How is meningitis investigated?

Answer 5

• Blood cultures
• LP for CSF
  Bacterial: Cloudy, high protein WCC, low glucose
  Viral: Clear, normal protein, normal glucose, high WCC

Question 6

How is meningitis managed?

Answer 6

• Under 3 months - Cefotaxmine plus Amoxicillin
• 3 months+ - Ceftriaxone
• Aciclovir if viral suspected
• Bacterial meningitis/Men Sepsis is notifiable
• Ciprofloxacin for contacts

Question 7

What are complications of meningitis?

Answer 7

• Hearing loss
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Cognitive impairment and learning disability
• Memory loss