Features of meningitis
Headache Neck stiffness Kernig's sign Brudzinski's sign Photophobia Nausea/vomiting Non blanching purpuric rash
Kernig’s sign
Flex hip with knees at 90 degrees
Straightening legs causes neck pain
Brudzinski’s sign
Bending neck - pt flexes hips and knees
Abx therapy of meningitis
Community - Benzylpenicillin 1.2g IV/IM
< 50 - ceftriaxone 2g IV/IM BD
> 50 - ceftriaxone + ampicillin 2g IV per 4 hrs
If suspect viral - aciclovir
Acute management of meningitis
1) A to E
2) Differs if mainly septic or mainly meningitic S) DON'T LP Ceftriaxone 2g IV ITU if shocked M) LP if no shock or contraindications Dexamethasone Ceftriaxone 2g IV post LP
3) Continued management (another flashcard)
Continuing management of meningitis
Ceftriaxone 2g BD IV:
Maintenance fluids:
Rifampicin prophylaxis for household contacts
Bacterial causative organisms of meningitis
Meningococcus Pneumococcus Listeria Haemophilus TB Cryptococcus
Viral causative agents of meningitis
Enteroviruses
HSV2
Contraindications to an LP
Thrombocytopenia Delayed abx Raised ICP Unstable pt Coagulation disorder Infection at LP site Focal neurology
CSF findings in bacterial meningitis Appearence Cells Count Glucose Protein
Turbid White cells 100-1000 Decreased > 1.5
CSF findings in viral meningitis Appearence Cells Count Glucose Protein
Clear Lymphocytic/mononuclear 50-1000 Normal < 1
CSF findings in TB meningitis Appearence Cells Count Glucose Protein
Fibrin web Lymphocytic/mononuclear 10-1000 Decreased 1-5