Meningitis

CSF is obtained from lumber puncture.

This is a sign of meningitis.

Explanation: Lumbar puncture is mandatory unless there are contraindications in a patient of meningitis

Viruses are the most common cause of meningitis, usually resulting in a benign and self-limiting illness requiring no specific therapy. It is much less serious than bacterial meningitis unless there is associated encephalitis. A number of viruses can cause meningitis (see Box 28.59), the most common being enteroviruses. Where specific immunisation is not employed, the mumps virus is a common cause.

Davidson 23rd; P-1118

Explanation: Viruses are the most common cause of meningitis, usually resulting in a benign and self-limiting illness requiring no specific therapy. It is much less serious than bacterial meningitis unless there is associated encephalitis. A number of viruses can cause meningitis, the most common being enteroviruses

Explanation: Headache, drowsiness, fever and neck stiffness are the usual presenting features. In severe bacterial meningitis the patient may be comatose, later developing focal neurological signs

Davidson 23rd; P-1118

Explanation: Fever with Severe headache and photophobia, neck stiffnss usually suggestive of meningitis

Before doing lumbar puncture, fundoscopy should be done to see papilloedema to exclude raised intracranial pressure.