How do you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?
The clues that the doctor uses are the levels of white cells, protein and glucose in the CSF. Typically in bacterial meningitis the white cell count is much higher than in viral meningitis (and is a different type of white cell), the protein is much higher and the glucose is much lower than in viral meningitis.
What lab tests differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis?
Several biomarkers have been proposed to differentiate bacterial from viral meningitis e.g., bacterial antigen testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and biological markers in the blood including white blood cell [WBC] count and procalcitonin (PCT), or CSF-protein, glucose level, WBC count and CSF-C-reactive protein (CRP …
Is bacterial meningitis more serious than viral?
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through: sneezing.
What are the 3 types of meningitis?
Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, followed by bacterial meningitis. Rarer types of meningitis include chemical and fungal meningitis.
What does CSF look like in bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis
See the list below: Appearance: Clear, cloudy, or purulent. Opening pressure: Elevated (>25 cm H2 O) WBC count: >100 cells/µL (>90% PMN); partially treated cases may have as low as 1 WBC/µL.
Should patients with viral meningitis be isolated?
Should a person with viral meningitis be isolated? Strict isolation is not necessary. Since most cases are due to enteroviruses that may be passed in the stool, people diagnosed with viral meningitis should be instructed to thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet.
How do you rule out viral meningitis?
If your doctor suspects viral meningitis, he or she may order a DNA-based test known as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification or a test to check for antibodies against certain viruses to determine the specific cause and proper treatment.
Do you need to be hospitalized for viral meningitis?
Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis. Most people get better on their own without treatment. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious.
How do people get bacterial meningitis?
Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.
Which form of meningitis is the deadliest?
Bacterial meningitis, the most serious form of meningitis, can also be contagious, especially if it’s meningococcal meningitis. It’s spread through extended contact with an infected person.
What are the 3 most common causes of bacterial meningitis?
Causes. Bacterial Meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Three types of bacteria are responsible for 80% of all Bacterial Meningitis. These are: 1) Hemophilus influenzae (type B), 2) Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus), and 3) Neisseria meningitidis (Meningococcus).
When should you suspect bacterial meningitis?
Seek immediate medical care if you or someone in your family has meningitis signs or symptoms, such as: Fever. Severe, unrelenting headache. Confusion.
What are significant signs of acute bacterial meningitis?
Up to 95% of patients with bacterial meningitis have at least 2 of the 4 following symptoms: fever, headache, stiff neck, or altered mental status. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, photalgia (photophobia), sleepiness, confusion, irritability, delirium, and coma.
Does viral meningitis require hospitalization?
People with meningitis may need to stay in hospital for a few days, and in certain cases treatment may be needed for several weeks. Even after going home, it may be a while before you feel completely back to normal.
How long is a person with viral meningitis contagious?
Depending on the specific cause of the viral meningitis, the infected person generally becomes contagious once their symptoms have started and continuing for approximately 7-10 days.
Does a blood test show viral meningitis?
To do a blood test for signs of meningitis, a technician inserts a needle into a vein in your arm and draws out a sample of your blood to send to a lab for testing. A complete blood count (CBC) or total protein count check for heightened levels of certain cells and proteins that can suggest a meningitis infection.
How does viral meningitis feel?
Viral meningitis usually begins with symptoms of a viral infection such as fever, a general feeling of illness, headache, and muscle aches. Later, people develop a headache and a stiff neck that makes lowering the chin to the chest difficult or impossible.
How quickly does viral meningitis develop?
Symptoms appear within three to six days after being exposed to the virus. You can pass the virus to others for several weeks after getting the infection, even after you no longer feel sick so it is important to always wash your hands. How long does viral meningitis last?
Who is most likely to get bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is common in those under age 20. Living in a community setting. College students living in dormitories, personnel on military bases, and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at greater risk of meningococcal meningitis.
How can you catch viral meningitis?
The infection is usually spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but are not ill themselves. The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common.
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The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- sneezing.
- coughing.
- kissing.
How do people catch bacterial meningitis?
Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. These steps can help prevent meningitis: Wash your hands. Careful hand-washing helps prevent the spread of germs.
What are the signs of bacterial meningitis?
Symptoms
- Sudden high fever.
- Stiff neck.
- Severe headache that seems different from normal.
- Headache with nausea or vomiting.
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
- Seizures.
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking.
- Sensitivity to light.
Where is bacterial meningitis most commonly found?
Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide, with the highest incidence of disease found in the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa. In this region, major epidemics occur every 5 to 12 years with attack rates reaching 1,000 cases per 100,000 population.
Should you isolate with viral meningitis?
Can you visit someone with viral meningitis?
Close contacts of someone with viral meningitis can become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, these close contacts are not likely to develop meningitis. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis.