Meningitis

Created By: VSU Student

Health Center Nursing Staff
 What is Meningitis?

 Infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and

the fluid that surrounds the brain
 Viral or Bacterial
 Etiology is important because of the
seriousness of the illness and the treatment
needed
 Viral Meningitis
 Usually clears up in a week or two with no
specific treatment
 Common; rarely serious infection of fluid
in the spinal cord or fluid that surrounds
the brain
 Also called aseptic meningitis
 Causes of Viral Meningitis
 Caused by a number of different viruses
mosquito-borne viruses
occasionally seen after strep throat in young
adults
common intestinal viruses account for half of
U.S. cases per year
 Signs and Symptoms
 Usually occur one week after exposure
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Tiredness
Rash
Sore Throat
Vomiting
 Treatment and Prevention
 No specific treatment for viral meningitis
 Antibiotics do not work on viruses
 Pay careful attention to personal hygiene
 Good hand-washing helps prevent spread
of infection and viruses
 Bacterial Meningitis
 A serious infection of the fluid of the
spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the
brain
 Results from bacterial invasion of
membrane that covers the brain and spinal
cord (meninges)
 Meninges become swollen and inflamed,
leading to classic s/s of meningitis
Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
 Three common bacteria:
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
Neisseria meningitidis
 Causes Meningococcal Meningitis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
 Causes Pneumococcal Meningitis
 How do people get Bacterial
Meningitis?
 Bacteria are spread through direct contact
with secretions from the nose or throat of
an infected person
 None of the bacteria that cause meningitis
are very contagious
 Not spread by casual contact or by simply
breathing the same air where the person
infected has been
 Signs and Symptoms
Under Age 2 Over age 2
 Fever  High fever
 Headache  Headache
 Stiff neck  Stiff neck
 Inactivity  Nausea and vomiting
 Vomiting  Sensitivity to light
 Poor feeding  Confusion
 Seizures  Sleepiness
 May be hard to detect in  Petechiae that spreads
infants rapidly
 seizures
 Diagnosis & Treatment
 Diagnosed via lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
 Check for bacterial growth in the spinal
fluid
 Antibiotic administration based on bacteria
found
 Close contacts identified and treated also
 Early diagnosis and treatment important
 Potential Complications
 Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to
brain damage, coma, and death
 Survivors can suffer long-term hearing
loss, mental retardation, paralysis, and
seizures
 Vaccinations
 Hib vaccine (3 doses  Pneumococcal
by 6 months of age vaccine ineffective in
and a booster persons under age 2
between 12-18 Recommended for all
months of age) persons over age 65
 Meningococcal with certain medical
vaccine not routinely problems
given to civilians in
U.S. because most
outbreaks occur in
Africa
 Travel Precautions
 Check with your local health department if
you are planning to travel outside the
country.
 If meningococcal vaccination is
recommended or required, it should be
received at least one week before departure
if possible.
Source
 American College Health Association,
Baltimore, MD (2007)
www.acha.org/meningitis
 Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (2007).
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/m
eningococcal_g.htm.