Meningitis history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Meningitis}} {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}} ==Overview== ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{WikiDoc Help Menu}} {{WikiDoc Sources}} [[Category:Disease...") |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
==History and Symptoms== | |||
In the study by Durand et.al., only 2/3 of patients had the classic triad of [[fever]], [[nuchal rigidity]] and [[mental status|change in mental status]]. | |||
* All patients, however, had at least one of these findings. | |||
* 95% had fever >100 degrees Fahrenheit, with a mean duration of 4 days. | |||
* [[Neck stiffness]] was present in 88%, and contrary to other reports, was not significantly lower amongst the elderly. | |||
*:* [[Kernig's sign]]: inability to allow full extension of the knee when the hip is flexed 90 degrees. | |||
*:* [[Brudzinski’s sign]]: spontaneous flexion of the hips during attempted passive neck flexion. | |||
* 11% of patients had a rash, and of these cases 73% of them were due to [[Neisseria meningitidis]] (most commonly [[petechiae]] and [[purpura]]) | |||
* 78% of patients had an abnormal mental status, primarily [[lethargy]] and [[confusion]]. | |||
*:* 23% of the patients had focal [[seizure]]s. | |||
In general: | |||
[[Headache]] is the most common symptom of meningitis (87%) followed by [[nuchal rigidity]] ("neck stiffness", 83%). The classic triad of diagnostic signs consists of nuchal rigidity (being unable to flex the neck forward), [[fever]] and altered mental status. All three features are present in only 44% of all cases of infectious meningitis.<ref>{{cite journal |author=van de Beek D, de Gans J, Spanjaard L, Weisfelt M, Reitsma JB, Vermeulen M |title=Clinical features and prognostic factors in adults with bacterial meningitis |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=351 |issue=18 |pages=1849-59 |year=2004 |pmid=15509818 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa040845}}</ref> Other symptoms commonly associated with meningitis are [[photophobia]] (inability to tolerate bright light), [[phonophobia]] (inability to tolerate loud noises), [[irritability]] and [[delirium]] (in small children) and [[seizure]]s (in 20-40% of cases). In infants (0-6 months), swelling of the [[fontanelle]] (soft spot) may be present. [[Vomiting]] may be present. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 21:03, 8 February 2012
|
Meningitis Main Page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
History and Symptoms
In the study by Durand et.al., only 2/3 of patients had the classic triad of fever, nuchal rigidity and change in mental status.
- All patients, however, had at least one of these findings.
- 95% had fever >100 degrees Fahrenheit, with a mean duration of 4 days.
- Neck stiffness was present in 88%, and contrary to other reports, was not significantly lower amongst the elderly.
- Kernig's sign: inability to allow full extension of the knee when the hip is flexed 90 degrees.
- Brudzinski’s sign: spontaneous flexion of the hips during attempted passive neck flexion.
- 11% of patients had a rash, and of these cases 73% of them were due to Neisseria meningitidis (most commonly petechiae and purpura)
- 78% of patients had an abnormal mental status, primarily lethargy and confusion.
- 23% of the patients had focal seizures.
In general:
Headache is the most common symptom of meningitis (87%) followed by nuchal rigidity ("neck stiffness", 83%). The classic triad of diagnostic signs consists of nuchal rigidity (being unable to flex the neck forward), fever and altered mental status. All three features are present in only 44% of all cases of infectious meningitis.[1] Other symptoms commonly associated with meningitis are photophobia (inability to tolerate bright light), phonophobia (inability to tolerate loud noises), irritability and delirium (in small children) and seizures (in 20-40% of cases). In infants (0-6 months), swelling of the fontanelle (soft spot) may be present. Vomiting may be present.
References
- ↑ van de Beek D, de Gans J, Spanjaard L, Weisfelt M, Reitsma JB, Vermeulen M (2004). "Clinical features and prognostic factors in adults with bacterial meningitis". N. Engl. J. Med. 351 (18): 1849–59. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa040845. PMID 15509818.