title: Meningitis.
abstract: Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the meninges, in almost all cases identified by an abnormal number of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid and specific clinical signs/symptoms. Onset may be acute or chronic, and clinical symptoms of acute disease develop over hours to days. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of acute meningitis, and provides a list of key points for primary care practitioners. Aseptic and bacterial meningitis vary significantly and are discussed separately.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street MC 663, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. kasiaputz@gmail.com
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Putz
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Hayani
authors: Fred Arthur
authors: FA
authors: Zar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008580:Meningism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines
keywords: Acute meningitis; Aseptic; Blood-brain barrier; Cerebrospinal fluid; Meningismus; Prophylaxis; Vaccination