Viral Meningitis / Encephalitis

Right Decisions
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
Acute Hospital Guidance
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CNS
Viral Meningitis / Encephalitis

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Micro Organisms

Viral meningitis (including HSV and VZV) is commonly a self-limiting illness.

Antiviral treatment should be used where there are clinical features of encephalitis or in systemically unwell immunocompromised patient (i.e. possible viraemia)

Consider covering for bacterial meningo-encephalitis too where there are other clinical features that could suggest bacterial infection e.g. haemodynamically unstable, high peripheral blood WCC and/or CRP

First Line

Important: Therapy

Aciclovir 10mg/kg IV 8 hourly

Notes:

IV route necessary to ensure adequate tissue levels

Adjust dose in renal impairment

Use ideal body weight in obesity