aseptic meningitis

Introduction

meningitis, not bacterial meningitis or fungal meningitis

Etiology

• viral meningitis
• meningitis of unknown etiology or known not to be of infectious etiology
  • medications
    • NSAIDs, antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin
  • malignancy
  • systemic inflammation

Clinical manifestations

• see meningitis

Laboratory

• see meningitis

Management

• also see viral meningitis
• uncomplicated
  • symptomatic treatment
  • fluids
  • pain control: acetaminophen
  • rest
• severely ill
  • ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 1 gram every 12 hours
  • cefotaxime (Claforan) 1 gram every 8 hours
  • addition of ampicillin 2 grams every 6 hours
• if uncertain, hospitalize & observe for 24 hours
• repeat lumbar puncture if indicated

More general terms

• meningitis