Meningitis Diagnosis

By SWA

Can You Have Meningitis for Years?

  • Chronic Idiopathic Meningitis: This type of meningitis can persist for months or even years without identified organisms and usually does not result in death. Treatment with antifungal drugs or corticosteroids is ineffective.

How to Tell if Someone Has Meningitis

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

  • High temperature (fever)
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (rash may not always develop)
  • Stiff neck
  • Dislike of bright lights
  • Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
  • Seizures (fits)

Diagnosis of Meningitis

  1. Bacterial vs. Viral Meningitis:

    • Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis:
      • Bacterial Meningitis: High white cell count (different type of white cell), high protein, and low glucose levels.
      • Viral Meningitis: Lower white cell count, lower protein, and higher glucose levels compared to bacterial meningitis.

  2. Gold Standard Tests:

    • Viral Meningitis: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detects and quantifies viral DNA or RNA in the CSF.
    • Bacterial Meningitis: Cerebrospinal fluid culture is considered the gold standard, diagnostic in 70–85% of cases prior to antibiotic exposure.

  3. Diagnostic Criteria:

    • Spinal Tap: Collects CSF to check for low sugar levels, increased white blood cell count, and increased protein.
    • Identification of Bacterium: Analyzing the fluid can help identify the causative bacterium.

  4. Diagnosis Protocol:

    • Acute Meningitis: Requires lumbar puncture (LP) and CSF examination to identify the causative organism and antibiotic sensitivities in bacterial meningitis.
    • Computed Tomography (CT): Should be performed before LP if indicated.

The Glass Test for Meningitis

  • Procedure:
    • Press the side of a glass firmly against the rash.
    • If the rash does not fade under pressure, seek medical help immediately.
    • Even if the rash fades or doesn't appear but you're feeling very ill, get medical help immediately.

     Note: By reading my blog, you acknowledge that I do not provide medical diagnoses or treatments. The information provided is meant to answer frequently asked questions and is gathered from reputable scientific papers.

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