MENINGITIS

* Most common CNS infection of infants and children.

* Inflammation of the meninges (the thin tissue that surrounds
the brain and spinal cord).
* Classification:
1. BACTERIAL: caused by pus-forming bacteria,
especially meningococcus, pneumococcus and
influenza bacteria.
2. TUBERCULOSIS: caused by tubercle bacillus
3. VIRAL OR SEPTIC: caused by a wide variety of
viral agents. Virus enters the body through the
nose or mouth and travels to the brain
* Clinical Findings:
The symptoms of meningitis are similar for both
bacterial and viral forms of the disease. Adults and older
children typically experience

a. PATHOGNOMONIC SIGN: Brudzinski's (pain in

the nape) and Kernig sign (Severe stiffness of the
hamstrings causes an inability to straighten the leg when the
hip is flexed to 90 degrees.).
a. OPISTHOTONOS: rigidity and hyperextension
of the neck.
b. headache
c. irritability and high pitched cry
d. signs of increased intracranial pressure (increased
BP,PR and temp; decreased temperature)
e. fever nausea and vomiting
f. Eyes that are sensitive to light
g. Delirium and confusion (uncommon)
h. Seizures (rare)
i. Coma (rare)
Symptoms in infants and young children include:
•Whimpering and crying in a high-pitched tone
•Difficulty in waking and very lethargic when awake
•Fussiness when being held or cuddled
•Arching the back and retracting the neck
•Staring blankly at their surroundings
•Having a high fever and cold hands and feet
•Refusing food
•Vomiting
•Appearing pale or blotchy

Mode of transmission:

Transmission of Meningitis
Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious and can
be spread through contact with:

Saliva
Nasal discharge
Feces
Respiratory and throat secretions (often spread through
kissing, coughing, or sharing drinking glasses, eating
utensils, or such personal items as toothbrushes, lipstick, or
cigarettes).

For example, people at a day care center, in a classroom, or

sharing a household with an infected person can become
infected. College students living in dormitories -- in
particular, college freshmen -- have a higher risk of
contracting meningococcal meningitis than college students
overall.

Children who do not have access to childhood vaccines are

at increased risk of developing certain types of bacterial
meningitis.
* Therapeutic intervention- Massive dose of Intravenous
antibiotics
* Diagnostic procedure:
Early diagnosis and treatment of meningitis are very
important.

A spinal tap or lumbar puncture is when a needle is

inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the
spinal canal is readily accessible.

For bacterial meningitis, identification of the type of bacteria

responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics.
The specific cause of viral meningitis can be determined by
tests that identify the virus in specimens collected from the
patient, but these tests are rarely done.