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What Tests Should Be Done To Check For Viral Encephalitis And Meningitis?
Question: Is there a blood test or throat Culture that can detect viral encephalitis / meningitis weeks after the onset? I want to confirm/deny that's what I had and if I'm contagious, or not
Brief Answer:
first 24 hours -most are contagious
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Precautions -
1. Droplet precautions in addition to Standard Precautions for bacterial meningitis caused by either N. meningitidis or H. influenzae. Precautions may be discontinued 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy.
2. Meningitis due to virus - Contact Precautions for infants and children.
3. Meningitis due to M. tuberculosis -Airborne Precautions if pulmonary infiltrate, Airborne Precautions plus Contact Precautions if potentially infectious draining body fluid present.
4. Neisseria meningitis - Droplet Precautions for first 24 hrs of antimicrobial therapy
Investigations-
Tuberculous meningitis- 3 sputum samples should come negative.
Viral- PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
Bacterial- blood cultures, c-reactive protein.
Hope, I have answered your query. take care.
first 24 hours -most are contagious
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Precautions -
1. Droplet precautions in addition to Standard Precautions for bacterial meningitis caused by either N. meningitidis or H. influenzae. Precautions may be discontinued 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy.
2. Meningitis due to virus - Contact Precautions for infants and children.
3. Meningitis due to M. tuberculosis -Airborne Precautions if pulmonary infiltrate, Airborne Precautions plus Contact Precautions if potentially infectious draining body fluid present.
4. Neisseria meningitis - Droplet Precautions for first 24 hrs of antimicrobial therapy
Investigations-
Tuberculous meningitis- 3 sputum samples should come negative.
Viral- PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
Bacterial- blood cultures, c-reactive protein.
Hope, I have answered your query. take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
So, I am understanding you to say I would still be contagious if not treated, is that correct? I'm not clear if I could be diagnosed after the fact, could these tests you mention detect encephalitis/meningitis weeks after the onset?
I have had 1 I completed round of Famcyclivir discontinued due to stomach issues, followed by 1 round of ValtrexValtrex, 1 round of amoxicillin, 1 round of AZithromyacin/Zpac and 6 days of Prednisone 20 mg, 1-3 day round of Valtrex. None of which have seemed to give much relief. Are any of them the preferred drug treatments? Thanks for your time and consideration.
I have had 1 I completed round of Famcyclivir discontinued due to stomach issues, followed by 1 round of ValtrexValtrex, 1 round of amoxicillin, 1 round of AZithromyacin/Zpac and 6 days of Prednisone 20 mg, 1-3 day round of Valtrex. None of which have seemed to give much relief. Are any of them the preferred drug treatments? Thanks for your time and consideration.
Brief Answer:
immune boost
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers for queries
1.Most of the bacterial infections will be contagious, up to 24 hours of antibiotic therapy except viral and tuberculosis bacilli.
2.Yes, you can detect the organism with this investigations.They are most sensitive.
3. These conditions suppress the immunological system due to which, the chances of added infections are more.Please try to improve your nutritional status, by taking high protein diet like egg albumin, multivitamins and protein powder to boost up your immunity.
Hope, I have answered your query.
Take care.
immune boost
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers for queries
1.Most of the bacterial infections will be contagious, up to 24 hours of antibiotic therapy except viral and tuberculosis bacilli.
2.Yes, you can detect the organism with this investigations.They are most sensitive.
3. These conditions suppress the immunological system due to which, the chances of added infections are more.Please try to improve your nutritional status, by taking high protein diet like egg albumin, multivitamins and protein powder to boost up your immunity.
Hope, I have answered your query.
Take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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