Meningitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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:*Medical history and [[physical examination]]s | :*Medical history and [[physical examination]]s | ||
:*[[Blood culture]]: This test is very important to identify bacterial meningitis. If bacteria are present, they can be cultured in the lab. | :*[[Blood culture]]: This test is very important to identify bacterial meningitis. If bacteria are present, they can be cultured in the lab. | ||
:*[[Gram-stain]] and culture of [[cerebral spinal fluid]] (CSF): | :*[[Gram-stain]] and culture of [[cerebral spinal fluid]] ([[CSF]]): The doctor may order this test to identify the origin of the infection. It helps determine the best course of treatment. During this procedure, the patient lies on the side, with knees pulled up toward the chest, and chin tucked downward. | ||
After injecting the anesthetic into the lower spine, the doctor insert a spinal needle into the lower back area to measure CSF pressure and collect a sample. The patient is often asked to lie down for a while after the process. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== |
Revision as of 20:10, 18 March 2010
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What is meningitis?
How do I know if I have meningitis and what are the symptoms of meningitis?
There are four types of meningitis: bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, fungal meningitis and non-infectious meningitis. General speaking, symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually appear suddenly. Symptoms of viral meningitis may appear suddenly or develop gradually over a period of days. Symptoms caused by fungal meningitis and non-infectious meningitis may develop relatively gradually. The most common symptoms of each type of meningitis include:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Photophobia
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Mental status changes, such as lethargy, irritability, confusion, difficulty to concentrate, sleepiness or difficulty waking up
- Skin rashes
Who is at risk for meningitis?
- Bacterium: Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children and young adults in the United States. Other bacterium include group B streptococci, haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus pneumoniae, s. pneumoniae, n. meningitidis and mycobacteria.
- Virus: Mumps, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex viruses, varicella-zoster virus.
- Fungi: Patinets at higher risk of fungal meningitis include those who have AIDS, leukemia, or other forms of immunodeficient diseases and immunosuppression. Cryptococcus is the most common fungi for these patients. Other fungi caused meningitis include histoplasma and coccidioides.
- Brain tumor
- Brain surgery
- Head injury
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus)
How to know you have meningitis?
The goal of tests is to identify the type of the meningitis.
- Medical history and physical examinations
- Blood culture: This test is very important to identify bacterial meningitis. If bacteria are present, they can be cultured in the lab.
- Gram-stain and culture of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF): The doctor may order this test to identify the origin of the infection. It helps determine the best course of treatment. During this procedure, the patient lies on the side, with knees pulled up toward the chest, and chin tucked downward.
After injecting the anesthetic into the lower spine, the doctor insert a spinal needle into the lower back area to measure CSF pressure and collect a sample. The patient is often asked to lie down for a while after the process.
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you or your child experience either of the symptoms of meningitis, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible.
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for meningitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating meningitis
Prevention of meningitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis.html
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/meningitis-topic-overview
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000680.htm