A 19-year old male comes into the hospital with generalized malaise, fever, nuch

Question

A 19-year old male comes into the hospital with generalized malaise, fever, nuchal rigidity, and muscle aches. He has a petechial skin rash that does not fade when pressed and he has a severe headache. While waiting to see the doctor, he experiences a violent seizure. The doctor orders a spinal tap, which reveals cloudy, viscous CSF. The doctor begins an immediate course of penicillin. A smear of the CSF fluid reveals Gram negative diplococci. What does the boy have and what is the causative agent?

Explanation / Answer

Meningitis is a condition in which there is acute inflammation of the brain and spinal cord which is called as meninges. The symptoms include fever, malaise, nuchal rigidity, irritability, confusion etc.

Causative agent for meningitis can be bacterial, viral, and fungal. The causetive agent for the above situation would be Neisseria meningitidis.

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