Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and it is caused by either a virus or bacteria. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and the symptoms, while similar, are generally not as severe. Meningitis treatment depends on the cause.
Classic Triad
The three most common symptoms of meningitis are fever, stiff neck and changes in a person's level of consciousness. According to "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice," this classic triad of symptoms is noted in approximately two-thirds of adult patients but rarely in infants. A person who complains of these three symptoms is considered to have meningitis until proven otherwise.
Headache
In addition to the typical symptoms, patients with meningitis often will complain of a headache. A meningitis headache is a continuous, throbbing headache, and even a minimal amount of shaking of the head will increase the pain. The headache pain remains regardless of whether a person is sitting up or lying down.
Light Sensitivity
Photophobia, a pain in the eyes when exposed to sunlight or a brightly lit room, is another symptom that patients with meningitis can experience. Patients with the symptoms of meningitis frequently will come to the emergency department wearing sun glasses and request that the lights be turned off because of the discomfort.
Additional Symptoms
Vomiting, chills and a red flat rash can accompany meningitis and cause the patient to feel weak, tired and irritable. Seizures can occur, but are more common with bacterial meningitis than viral meningitis.
Treatment
The cause of meningitis must be identified to treat the patient appropriately. The patient will need to undergo a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to obtain a sample of the spinal fluid. Blood cultures and a computerized tomography, or CT, scan might be used as part of the workup. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral infections, and viral meningitis does not require any specific treatment and most patients will recover on their own. Medications might be ordered to control the fever and provide comfort. Patients who are generally healthy will not require hospitalization, but those with severe symptoms or weak immune systems might.
References
- "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice"; Mosby; 2010
- "Current Diagnosis and Treatment Emergency Medicine"; McGraw Hill; 2010
