Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Viral meningitis physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Viral meningitis patients appear lethargic and may be not well oriented. They also appears feverish grading from 38-40 degrees. The signs may differ according to the patient age and the virus causing the disease as well. Different signs can be noticed like photophobia, phonophobia, nuchal rigidity,altered mental status, and skin rash.[1][2]
Physical examination
Physical examination
Appearance of the patient
- Patients usually appears lethargic and not well oriented.
- Convulsions may also be noticed.
Vital signs
- High to low grade fever (40°C/104°F)
- Hypothermia
- Tachypnea or apnea
Skin
HEENT
- Headache
- Photophobia
- Phonophopia
- Pharyngitis in case of enterovirus infeciton
- Orchitis in case of mumps infection
Neck
Lungs
- Lungs are normal in cases of the viral meningitis
Heart
- Normal heart sounds
- No murmurs, gallops or rubs
Abdomen
- Gastroenteritis especially in cases if enteroviral meningitis
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status
- Hypotonia
- Normal deep tendon reflexes
Reference
Reference
- ↑ Norris CM, Danis PG, Gardner TD (1999). “Aseptic meningitis in the newborn and young infant”. Am Fam Physician. 59 (10): 2761–70. PMID 10348069.
- ↑ Rorabaugh ML, Berlin LE, Heldrich F, Roberts K, Rosenberg LA, Doran T; et al. (1993). “Aseptic meningitis in infants younger than 2 years of age: acute illness and neurologic complications”. Pediatrics. 92 (2): 206–11. PMID 8337018.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]