> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://thisispiggy.gitbook.io/my-wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://thisispiggy.gitbook.io/my-wiki/01-step-1/neurology/36-meningitis.md).

# 36 Meningitis

## Structure

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/XdhAOzm.jpg)

* dura: durable, cover skull
* arachnoid/pia: leptomeninges

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/98hUPGR.jpg)

## Symptoms and Diagnosis

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/ViKzZer.jpg)

* fever from inflammation 
* headache from inflammation of meninges
* photophobia: bright lights bothersome

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/h4rvbrd.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/Jk41gnJ.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/3UyRr3f.jpg)

* spinal cords ends at conus medullaris, L1-L2
* does not pierce pia

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/5IXPM25.jpg)

* check when first put needle in
* measures CSF pressure

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/BerS46A.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/b7QtNpJ.jpg)

* normal should be sterile with very few cells

## Complications

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/3LTW7Hp.jpg)

* hydrocephalus: scarring of arachnoid villi ability to absorb fluid
* hearing loss: scarring of nerve
* seizures: scarring of cx surface
* bacterial: more exudates/pus, more scarring

## Meningitis Causes and Treatment

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/zPU5dPT.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/IspILPC.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/DUIz1v0.jpg)

* listeria: poor cell mediated immunity, children and elderly
* S. pneumo most common from children to elderly

## Bacterial Causes

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/DUIz1v0.jpg)

* listeria: poor cell mediated immunity, children and elderly
* S. pneumo most common from children to elderly

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/K1nphDG.jpg)

* encapsulated organism: asplenic and sickle cell high risk

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/Th6v0B6.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/m9tYlyb.jpg)

* meningococcemia: bacteremia with meningitis
* hypotension

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/PtWldx7.jpg)

* droplet precaution: wear a mask

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/Tqvpyc1.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/7PxR4Zd.jpg)

* almost never cause meningitis anymore

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/cuVDTc9.jpg)

* tumbling motility: instead of swimming around, tumbles from side to side in petri dish
* pasteurization: warm milk up and cool off to kill bacteria

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/NoB2tGS.jpg)

* can't complain of headache, photophobia
* failing to thrive symptoms, do LP to rule out meningitis

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/tde5K07.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/FoFh8aO.jpg)

## Viral Causes

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/KBdg4FI.jpg)

* like cold of spinal canal

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/gtvTDMP.jpg)

* very rare

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/iZHsPD3.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/T0ZPpXn.jpg)

## Encephalitis

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/oyit1mj.jpg)

* if these symptoms present: encephalitis, not meningitis

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/A8e9W1s.jpg)

![](https://f001.backblazeb2.com/file/wikiFiles/FcQS5v9.jpg)

* measles: subacute encephalitis years later


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://thisispiggy.gitbook.io/my-wiki/01-step-1/neurology/36-meningitis.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.