Meningitis

• Leptomeningitis
• Bacterial meningitis
• Cryptococcal meningitis
• Hemophilus meningitis

• 320 Bacterial meningitis
• 320.0 Hemophilus meningitis
• 320.1 Pneumococcal meningitis
• 320.2 Streptococcal meningitis
• 320.3 Staphylococcal meningitis
• 320.7 Meningitis in other bacterial diseases classified elsewhere
• 320.89 Meningitis due to other specified bacteria
• 321 Meningitis due to other organisms
• 321.0 Cryptococcal meningitis

• B45.1 Cerebral cryptococcosis
• G00.0 Hemophilus meningitis
• G00.1 Pneumococcal meningitis
• G00.2 Streptococcal meningitis
• G00.3 Staphylococcal meningitis
• G00.8 Other bacterial meningitis
• G00.9 Bacterial meningitis, unspecified
• G01 Meningitis in other bacterial diseases classified elsewhere

• 5A: Primary Prevention/Risk Reduction for Loss of Balance and Falling
• 5C: Impaired Motor Function and Sensory Integrity Associated with Nonprogressive Disorders of the Central Nervous System – Congenital Origin or Acquired in Infancy or Childhood
• 5D: Impaired Motor Function and Sensory Integrity Associated with Nonprogressive Disorders of the Central Nervous System – Acquired in Adolescence or Adulthood
• 5I: Impaired Arousal, Range of Motion and Motor Control Associated with Coma, Near Coma, or Vegetative State

Description

• Infection of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord caused by a microorganism
• Severity and extent of the infection causes a wide range of neurologic signs and symptoms, generally non-focal in nature

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Headache and neck stiffness are common with all infections of the central nervous system
• No physical test distinguishes a bacterial from a viral infection; must rely on body fluid cultures
• If a central nervous system infection is suspected, the therapist should seek information regarding a potential source of infection or a condition that pre-disposed the patient to infection

General Considerations

• Hemophilus meningitis is caused by the haemophilus influenza bacteria
  • Most common form of meningitis
  • Acquired following an upper respiratory infection
• Bacterial meningitis is caused by a wide range of bacteria
  • Onset of symptoms is very rapid and considered a medical emergency
• Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans
  • Found in soil around the world
  • Onset is slower than bacterial meningitis

Demographics

• Commonly nosocomial or iatrogenic
• Most common worldwide forms of meningitis include: pneumococcal, influenza, and meningococcal
• Other bacteria cause meningitis, but may be less common in some parts of the world than others.
• Approximately 3/100,000 in the United States; 500/100,000 in Africa

Signs and Symptoms

• Headache, stiff neck
• Change in mental status (confusion, delirium)
• Fever or hypothermia
• Malaise
• Impaired heart, lung, liver, kidney function
• Seizure, generalized convulsions
• Sensory deficit/change
• Motor deficit/change
• With increased intracranial pressure, papilledema may develop
• With prolonged infection, cranial nerves may become effected

Functional Implications

• Loss of mobility temporarily with permanent loss possible
• Loss of hearing/vestibular function in some cases
• Temporary loss of coordination, fine and gross motor skills; permanent loss possible.
• Loss of independence with activities of daily living
• Reduced cognitive function, particularly executive functions

Possible Contributing Causes