INTRODUCTION
MENINGITIS
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three
membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Contents of the meninges
includes, The dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater. They are separated by a
cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space. Meningitis occurs when fluid
surrounding the meninges becomes infected.
CAUSES OF MENINGITIS.
The most common causes of meningitis are:
Bacterial e.g Staphylococcus pneumonia
Viral Infection
Fungal and Protozoa
Use of nasal sprays
Neurosurgical procedures
Skull Fractures
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The organism gains access into the brain tissue through the blood brain barrier
resulting in inflammatory process resulting in the formation of pus and infiltration
of white blood cell into the cerebrospinal fluid. This leads to inflamed cerebral
blood vessels (vasculitis) and formation of thrombosis that would further
occluded cerebral blood vessels leading to reduced cerebral perfusion, cerebral
oedema and intra-cranial pressure. These result in meningeal irritation leading to
severe neck pain and stiffness, headache, fever, photophobia, vomiting,
brudzinkis and kernigis sign.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis can be similar in the beginning.
However, bacterial meningitis symptoms are usually more severe. The symptoms
also vary depending on your age.
Viral meningitis symptoms
Viral meningitis in infants may cause:
decreased appetite
irritability
sleepiness
lethargy
fever
In adults, viral meningitis may cause:
headaches
fever
stiff neck
seizures
sensitivity to bright light
sleepiness
lethargy
nausea and vomiting
decreased appetite
Bacterial meningitis symptoms
Bacterial meningitis symptoms develop suddenly. They may include:
altered mental status
nausea
vomiting
sensitivity to light
irritability
headache
fever
chills
stiff neck
purple areas of skin that resemble bruises
sleepiness
lethargy
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms. Bacterial
and viral meningitis can be deadly. There’s no way to know if you have bacterial
or viral meningitis just by judging how you feel. Your doctor will need to perform
tests to determine which type you have.
Fungal meningitis symptoms
Symptoms of fungal meningitis resemble the other types of this infection. These
may include:
nausea
vomiting
sensitivity to light
fever
headache
confusion or disorientation
Each type of meningitis has some distinguishing symptoms. Learn more about
these so you can understand the differences between each type of meningitis.
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Meningitis rash
One of the late signs that one bacterial cause of meningitis, Neisseria
meningitidis, are in your bloodstream is a faint rash on your skin. The bacteria
from a meningococcal meningitis infection reproduce in your blood and target
cells around the capillariesTrusted Source. Damage to these cells leads to
capillary damage and mild blood leaks. This shows up as a faint pink, red, or
purple rash. The spots may resemble tiny pinpricks and are easily mistaken as a
bruise.
As the infection worsens and spreads, the rash will become more obvious. The
spots will grow darker and larger.
People with dark skin may have a hard time seeing meningitis rash. Lighter areas
of skin, such as the palms of hands and the inside of the mouth may show signs
of a rash more easily.
Not every rash looks the same. See photos of meningitis rashes to understand
how this symptom might occur.
TYPES OF MENINGITIS
Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of meningitis. There
are several other forms of meningitis. Examples include cryptococcal, which is
caused by a fungal infection, and carcinomatous, which is cancer-related. These
types are less common.
Viral meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Viruses in
the Enterovirus category cause 85 percent of cases. These are more common
during the summer and fall, and they include:
coxsackievirus A
coxsackievirus B
echoviruses
Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause about 10 to 15 million
infectionsTrusted Source per year, but only a small percentage of people who get
infected will develop meningitis.
Other viruses can cause meningitis. These include:
West Nile virus
influenza
mumps
HIV
measles
herpes viruses
Coltivirus, which causes Colorado tick fever
Viral meningitis typically goes away without treatment. However, some causes do
need to be treated.
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria.
It’s fatal if left untreated. Between 5 to 40 percentTrusted Source of children
and 20 to 50 percentTrusted Source of adults with this condition die. This is true
even with proper treatment.
The most common types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis are:
Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is typically found in the respiratory tract,
sinuses, and nasal cavity and can cause what’s called “pneumococcal
meningitis”
Neisseria meningitidis, which is spread through saliva and other respiratory
fluids and causes what’s called “meningococcal meningitis”
Haemophilus influenza, which can cause not only meningitis but infection
of the blood, inflammation of the windpipe, cellulitis, and infectious arthritis
Listeria monocytogenes, which are foodborne bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus, which is typically found on the skin and in the
respiratory tract, and causes “staphylococcal meningitis”
Fungal meningitis
Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. It’s caused by a fungus that infects
your body and then spreads from your bloodstream to your brain or spinal cord.
People with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop fungal
meningitis. This includes people with cancer or HIV.
The most common funguses related to fungal meningitis include:
Cryptococcus, which is inhaled from dirt or soil that is contaminated with
bird droppings
Blastomyces, another type of fungus found in soil, particularly in the
Midwestern United States
Histoplasma, which is found in environments that are heavily contaminated
with bat and bird droppings, especially in the Midwestern States near the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
Coccidioides, which is found in soil in specific areas of the U.S. Southwest
and South and Central America
Parasitic meningitis
This type of meningitis is less common than viral or bacterial meningitis, and it’s
caused by parasites that are found in dirt, feces, and on some animals and food,
like snails, raw fish, poultry, or produce.
One type of parasitic meningitis is rarer than others. It’s called eosinophilic
meningitis (EM). Three main parasites are responsible for EM. These include:
Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Baylisascaris procyonis
Gnathostoma spinigerum
Parasitic meningitis is not passed from person to person. Instead, these
parasites infect an animal or hide out on food that a human then eats. If the
parasite or parasite eggs are infectious when they’re ingested, an infection may
occur.
One very rare type of parasitic meningitis, amebic meningitis, is a life-threatening
type of infection. This type is caused when one of several types of ameba enters
the body through the nose while you swim in contaminated lakes, rivers, or
ponds. The parasite can destroy brain tissue and may eventually cause
hallucinations, seizures, and other serious symptoms. The most commonly
recognized species is Naegleria fowleri.
Non-infectious meningitis
Non-infectious meningitis is not an infection. Instead, it is a type of meningitis
that’s caused by other medical conditions or treatments. These include:
lupus
a head injury
brain surgery
cancer
certain medications
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
Decreased Brain cell glucose, because the invading organism use the
glucose for metabolism.
CT scan and MRI to rule out disorder such as cerebral heamatoma,
haemorrhage or tumor
WBC counts reveals leucocytosis
Lumbar puncture for CSF analysis reveals positive cultures with invading
microorganisms and elevated cloudy CSF.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
Assessment and maintenance of ABCs (Airway, Breathing and circulation)
are essential
Assess vital signs and levels of consciousness
Ensure bed rest and calm environment with dim light to reduce irritation.
Monitor intake and output and prevent fluid overload which may worsen
cerebral oedema.
Monitor for seizure activity and initiate precautions to prevent injuries.
Encourage patient to follow medication regimen as directed to fully
eradicate infections agent.
Encourage followup and prompt attention to infection in future.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Antibiotics or Antimicrobial therapy is initiated e.g penicillin
Osmotic diuretics such as manitol
Anticonvulsant or sedatives e.g diagram
NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Impaired breathing pattern related to seizure activities related to dyspnoea
Hyperthermia related to infections process evidenced by temperature of
38°C
Risk for injury related to seizure activity.
COMPLICATIONS
Brain damage
Deafness
Hydrocephalus
Loss of vision
Cardiovascular disorders
Epilepsy in children
ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UTURU
P.M.B 2000
FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCES
ASSIGNMENT ON:
MENINGITIS
PRESENTED BY
1. ALARIBE CLARIBEL CHINATU 2016/103088/REG
2. ALARIBE EMMANUELLA 2016/101473/REG
3. ALFRED OBI FAITH C. 2018/116335/REG
4. ALISIOBI PROMISE C. 2018/117837/REG
5. ALUCHE OLIVIA CHINENYE 2016/102733/REG
6. AMADI MARIO CHRISTUS 2018/116267/REG
7. AMANZE NGOZI LIGHT 2018/115781/REG
8. AMOS RUTH 2016/101889/REG
9. ANAYO IFEOMA EUNICE 2019/121004/REG
ANUKWA RUTH C. 2018/116064/REG
COURSE CODE: NSC 301
COURSE TITLE: MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING II
LECTURER: MRS. CHIGBU
DATE:
6TH SEPT, 2021.
