The most common alternative etiologies that mimic viral meningitis are: erhlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Kawasaki disease, and Lyme meningitis. Other conditions sharing some of these symptoms are: drug-associated aseptic meningitis, central nervous system vasculitis, neoplastic diseases.
How do you rule out meningitis?
a physical examination to look for symptoms of meningitis. a blood test to check for bacteria or viruses. a lumbar puncture – where a sample of fluid is taken from the spine and checked for bacteria or viruses. a CT scan to check for any problems with the brain, such as swelling.
What is mistaken for bacterial meningitis?
In people of all ages, bacterial meningitis can be misdiagnosed as viral meningitis or even strep throat, which causes a delay in the appropriate treatment. Diagnosis might be delayed due to a failure to recognize symptoms or order the appropriate diagnostic tests.
Why is meningitis misdiagnosed?
The symptoms for viral and bacterial meningitis are the same, and both versions are diagnosed through a spinal tap. However, viral meningitis doesn’t have a treatment, so patients misdiagnosed with it don’t get the needed medications.
What conditions can mimic meningitis Related Questions
What is like meningitis but not?
Encephalitis and meningitis are both conditions that affect your brain. Both can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. They’re also both considered serious and need to be treated right away by a medical professional. Despite similarities, encephalitis and meningitis are not the same.
What is a more accurate diagnosis of meningitis?
A definitive diagnosis of meningitis requires a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid. In people with meningitis, the fluid often shows a low sugar level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein. Analyzing the fluid also may help identify which bacterium caused the meningitis.
What part of neck hurts with meningitis?
This is caused by swelling located in the back of your neck, behind your skull, that you may be able to feel. Neck pain from meningitis can be accompanied by a feeling of tenderness or soreness in the affected area. It may also come with a throbbing or persistent headache.
Will meningitis show up in blood work?
When a meningitis diagnosis is suspected, there are several tests your doctor can run to confirm a diagnosis: Blood tests. Standard blood tests to analyze antibodies and foreign proteins can alert your doctor to the presence of infection.
When should you suspect meningitis?
Symptoms of meningitis a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F) being sick. a headache. a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
What are the red flags for bacterial meningitis?
pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) headache. a stiff neck.
What are 2 identifying symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
Fever, neck stiffness, and altered mental status are the classic triad of symptoms for meningitis; however, all three are only present in 41% of cases of bacterial meningitis. The triad is most commonly seen in elderly patients. Seventy percent of patients will present with at least one of these symptoms.
How long can you have bacterial meningitis without knowing?
Typically, symptoms of bacterial meningitis develop within 3 to 7 days after exposure; note, this is not true for TB meningitis, which can develop much later after exposure to the bacteria. People with bacterial meningitis can have seizures, go into a coma, and even die.
How likely is it that I have meningitis?
Am I at Risk? The risk of getting the disease is very low. Although meningococcal disease is infectious and can cause outbreaks, 97 out of every 100 cases are isolated, with no link to any other cases.
What are 5 symptoms of meningitis?
a high temperature (fever) being sick. a headache. a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop) a stiff neck. a dislike of bright lights. drowsiness or unresponsiveness. seizures (fits)
What is a non infectious cause of meningitis?
Causes of non–infectious meningitis include: Cancers. Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) Certain medicines.
How can you rule out meningitis at home?
Gently and slowly push on the back of your neck so that your head moves forward. For better results, have someone do this for you. Note if your hips and knees flex involuntarily as you raise your head. This is a positive Brudzinski sign, meaning that you may have meningitis.
Does meningitis always show up on MRI?
Nonenhanced CT scans and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients with uncomplicated acute bacterial meningitis may be unremarkable. MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality, because the presence and extent of inflammatory changes in the meninges, as well as complications, can be detected.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing bacterial meningitis?
Cerebrospinal fluid culture is historically regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. It is diagnostic in 70‚Äì85% of cases prior to antibiotic exposure.
Would I be able to move my neck with meningitis?
A headache caused by meningitis is typically described as severe and unrelenting. It does not subside by taking an aspirin. Stiff neck. This symptom most commonly involves a reduced ability to flex the neck forward, also called nuchal rigidity.
What age does neck stiffness start with meningitis?
A rash also may be a symptom of this condition. If your child is two to five years old: In addition to the above symptoms, a child of this age with meningitis may complain of a headache, pain in his back, or a stiff neck.