Answer
Amy, 5 years old has meningitis , an infection of the meninges ( dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) or coverings of the spinal cord. The typical symptoms are, fever, stiff/sore neck, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light.
Most cases occur in children between the ages of three months to three years of age ; however, meningitis is also common among college freshmen who reside in dorms.
Work Step by Step
Meningitis is caused by infection of the meninges by viruses , bacteria or fungi The major organisms implicated in this illness are Neisseria, Streptococcus, E.coli, H. influenzae, and Listeria species. These microbes are usually associated with throat, respiratory or ear infections
Doctors usually diagnose meningitis by examining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from the spinal cord by a procedure known as a spinal tap or lumbar puncture.
In this procedure the a needle is inserted between the spinous processes of L3 an L4 ( or between L4 and L5). The dura and arachnoid are punctured and the CSF fluid drips out drop by drop. The placement of the tap needle must be accurate because puncture of the spinal cord carries risks. However, the spinal cord does not extend below L3 and the risk of damaging it below this level are very low, especially if guided imaging is employed
The amount of CSF in the CNS at any instant is between 125 and 150 ml; only about 4 mls is necessary for meningitis diagnostic tests The tests usually performed include tests for micro-organisms, CBC test, and tests for serum glucose, C-reactive protein, and total protein.
Treatment for this condition usually includes antibiotics and steroids.
