Viral Meningitis Cerebrospinal Fluid Case Study Analysis

Viral Meningitis Cerebrospinal Fluid Case Study Analysis essay assignment

Viral Meningitis Cerebrospinal Fluid Case Study Analysis essay assignment

A 28-year-old female presents to the emergency department with a 5-day history of progressive headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. She works as a primary school teacher.  She has not received any of her childhood immunizations.

Her observations on arrival are outline below:

Temperature 39.2°C

Respiratory Rate 18 breaths/min

Blood pressure 100/65 mmHg

Heart Rate 105 beats/min

Oxygen saturations SpO2 98% on room air

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On examination, her Glasgow Coma Scale is 15/15. There are no neurological deficits on neurological examination.  No rashes are seen on examination.
1-1A. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is central to the diagnosis of meningitis. Create a table describing the CSF analysis results you would expect to find in a case of (a) viral meningitis compared to a case of (b) bacterial meningitis or (c) tuberculous meningitis.1B. The results of the investigations above support a diagnosis of viral meningitis. Name three common viruses known to cause viral meningitis.1C. Outline how you would treat and manage a patient with viral meningitis.2- What advice would you give to this patient to reduce her risk of developing meningitis again in the future?

Computed Tomography (CT) brain – Normal.  No evidence of increased intracranial pressure.

After the relevant samples for investigation are obtained, she is commenced on empiric antimicrobials for meningitis.

1A.   Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is central to the diagnosis of meningitis. Create a table describing the CSF analysis results you would expect to find in a case of (a) viral meningitis compared to a case of (b) bacterial meningitis or (c) tuberculous meningitis.

1B.   The results of the investigations above support a diagnosis of viral meningitis. Name three common viruses known to cause viral meningitis.

1C.   Outline how you would treat and manage a patient with viral meningitis.

2- What advice would you give to this patient to reduce her risk of developing meningitis again in the future?