What indicates bacterial meningitis?

Acute bacterial meningitis is rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the meninges and subarachnoid space. Findings typically include headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity. Diagnosis is by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Treatment is with antibiotics and corticosteroids given as soon as possible.

What confirms bacterial meningitis?

For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you'll need a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.

What are 5 signs of bacterial meningitis?

How can you tell if meningitis is bacterial or viral?

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 labs are elevated with bacterial meningitis?

The CSF protein level (reference range, 20-50 mg/dL) is usually elevated in bacterial meningitis. In viral meningitis, these levels are also usually elevated, though they can be within the reference range.

Bacterial Meningitis (CNS Infection) – Infectious Diseases | Lecturio

Is WBC elevated in bacterial meningitis?

We found that patients with proved bacterial meningitis based on the CSF results had significantly higher WBC count of WBC ( p<0.001), lower CSF sugar ( p=0.021) and higher PMN count of CSF ( p<0.001) when compared to those with excluded bacterial 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.

How can you tell if an infection is viral or bacterial?

Diagnosis of Bacterial and Viral Infections

But your doctor may be able to determine the cause by listening to your medical history and doing a physical exam. If necessary, they also can order a blood or urine test to help confirm a diagnosis, or a "culture test" of tissue to identify bacteria or viruses.

What color is CSF in viral meningitis?

Turbid (cloudy) CSF can reflect infection within the CSF (meningitis). A red color occurs with new blood or brownish with old blood.

What antibiotic treats meningitis?

Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially Claforan (cefotaxime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.

How do you check if you have meningitis?

What does the start of meningitis look like?

The meningitis “rash” can start as a blanching rash, but nearly always develops into a non-blanching red, purple or brownish petechial rash or purpura, meaning it will not disappear when pressed.

How high is a fever with meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include: a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F) being sick. a headache.

Can CBC detect meningitis?

Meningitis blood tests

A complete blood count (CBC) or total protein count check for heightened levels of certain cells and proteins that can suggest a meningitis infection. A procalcitonin blood test can also help your doctor tell if an infection is more likely caused by either bacteria or a virus.

Why is protein elevated in bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis leads to a more permeable blood brain barrier (due to increased inflammation). Protein leaks into the subarachnoid space from the blood, resulting in markedly increased CSF protein levels.

Does meningitis show up in blood work?

Blood tests can be normal in meningitis but sometimes may show signs of infection, such as elevated white blood cells in a complete blood cell count (CBC) test or elevated proteins in a total protein test.

Is WBC elevated with viral meningitis?

Acute viral meningitis is characterized by elevated white blood cell count (WBC) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with lymphocytic predominance; it is usually < 1000 cells/µL. Proteins in the CSF are usually only slightly elevated (usually < 250 mg/dL), while glucose is normal.

What does high WBC in CSF mean?

An increase of white blood cells indicates infection, inflammation, or bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. Some causes include: Abscess. Encephalitis. Hemorrhage.

What is normal WBC count in CSF?

Normal CSF has very few WBCs (0–8/mm³). In the presence of an inflammatory response, WBCs increase. Inflammatory response situations include: Meningitis of all types.

What are the five signs of infection?

What are 3 differences between viruses and bacteria?

Bacteria are single-celled, living organisms. They have a cell wall and all the components necessary to survive and reproduce, although some may derive energy from other sources. Viruses are not considered to be “living” because they require a host cell to survive long-term, for energy, and to reproduce.

What findings of the CNS of the CSF would indicate bacterial meningitis?

A CSF:blood glucose level of < 50% suggests possible meningitis. A CSF glucose level of ≤ 18 mg/dL or a CSF:blood glucose ratio of < 0.23 strongly suggests bacterial meningitis.

Which symptoms would a nurse expect to see in a patient with bacterial meningitis select all that apply?

Up to 95% of patients with bacterial meningitis have at least two of the four following symptoms: fever, headache, stiff neck, or altered mental status. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, photalgia (photophobia), sleepiness, confusion, irritability, delirium, and coma.