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Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord, often caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a gram-negative bacterium.
Summary
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord, often caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a gram-negative bacterium. Key signs include nuchal rigidity, photosensitivity, increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs. Diagnosis involves lumbar puncture, with cloudy fluid indicating bacterial infection and clear fluid viral infection. Increased ICP requires delaying lumbar puncture and using diuretics. Prevention includes antibiotics like rifampisin and cephalosporin and wearing face masks. Nursing management emphasizes neurological monitoring and a quiet environment. Meningococcemia is a bloodstream infection by the meningococcal bacteria, characterized by rapid deterioration and rash resembling spotted (dalmatian) fever. Major complication is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome causing severe hypotension. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissue itself, commonly caused by Japanese Encephalitis Virus transmitted by culex mosquitoes prevalent in areas with livestock and rice fields. Its incubation period is longer than meningitis or meningococcemia.
| Condition | Cause | Key Features | Mode of Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meningitis | Neisseria meningitidis | Nuchal rigidity, fever | Droplet |
| Meningococcemia | Meningococcal septicemia | Spotted rash, rapid onset | Droplet |
| Encephalitis | Japanese Encephalitis Virus | Brain inflammation, mosquito | Vector (culex mosquito) |
Common Misconceptions:
🧠 Key Concepts
- Meningitis
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Lumbar puncture
- Nuchal rigidity
- Meningococcemia
- Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
- Encephalitis
- Japanese Encephalitis Virus
- Incubation period
- Droplet transmission
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MENINGITIS i
Inflammation of the meninges that covers the brain and spinal cord.
AKA: Cerebrospinal fever CA: Neisseria Meningitidis (normal flora of oropharynx) : a gram negative bacteria→ has a structure that resists penicillin] : All CA that causes pneumonia and tuberculosis can cause meningitis (e-coli and others) : 30% of the world are carriers, those who develop the disease are usually immunocompromised IP: 2-10 days MOT: Droplet SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Pathognomonic: Nuchal Rigidity / Stiff Neck" Other: - Photosensitivity - Increase ICP - Decrease LOC - (+) Kernig - (+) Brudzinski
DX TESTS:
1. Lumbar Tap/ Puncture - Cloudy/Turbid: Bacterial cause - Clear: Viral cause ● Check ICP first then MRI - If Inc. ICP - Postpone Lumbar Tap, administer diuretics. - If Dec. ICP, proceed to the procedure. PREVENTION AND CONTROL: 1. Rifampisin/Cephalosporin 2. Use of face mask NRSG MNGT: 1. Frequent neurological checking (VS, GCS) 2. WOF Dangers: REFER - remittent fever - onset of seizure - altered respiration: bradypnea 3. Position: Semi-Fowler (30deg) 4. Environment: quiet, dim-lit, well-ventilated, non-stimulating 5. AVOID: Valsalva Maneuver 6. DOC: Penicillin G, Cephalosporin, Chloramphenicol 7. Corticosteriod: Dexamethasone
Meningococcemia
: a type of meningitis, but the multiplication of infection happens in the blood and not in the meninges : Fulminant meningococcal infection (rapidly deterioration) secondary to septicemia AKA: Spotted fever (like a dalmatian) IP: 3-4 days MOT: Droplet Complication: Waterhouse Friderichsen = marked hypotension Encephalitis : Inflammation of the brain parenchyma (utak na mismo, unlike meningitis na meninges lang) AKA: Brain fever
CA: Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), endemic in South East Asia MOT: Vector is mosquito-carrying culex (common in places with livestocks and palayan d/t presence of pigs and birds) IP: 5-14 days
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