Meningitis  Overview, causes, symptoms, and treatments 



Overview



Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.
Most cases of meningitis in the United States are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Some cases of meningitis improve without treatment in a few weeks. Others can be life-threatening and require emergent antibiotic treatment.

Seek immediate medical care if you suspect that someone has meningitis. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis can prevent serious complications.



What are the symptoms of meningitis?





The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis can be similar in the beginning. However, bacterial meningitis symptoms are usually more severe. The symptoms also vary depending on your age.



Viral meningitis symptoms

Viral meningitis in infants may cause:

    1. decreased appetite
    2. irritability
    3. sleepiness
    4. lethargy
    5. fever


    In adults, viral meningitis may cause:


      1. headaches
      2. fever
      3. stiff neck
      4. seizures
      5. sensitivity to bright light
      6. sleepiness
      7. lethargy
      8. nausea and vomiting
      9. decreased appetite

      Types of meningitis


      Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of meningitis. There are several other forms of meningitis. 
      Examples include cryptococcal, which is caused by a fungal infection, and carcinomatous, which is cancer-related. These types are less common.


      Viral meningitis

      Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause 85 percent of cases.

       These are more common during the summer and fall, and they include:
          1. coxsackievirus A 
          2. coxsackievirus B 
          3. echoviruses

          Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause about 10 to 15 million infections per year, but only a small percentage of people who get infected will develop meningitis.


          Other viruses can cause meningitis. 

          These include:
              1. West Nile virus
              2. influenza 
              3. mumps
              4. HIV
              5. measles 
              6. herpes viruses
              7. Coltivirus, which causes Colorado tick fever

                          Viral meningitis typically goes away without treatment. 
                          However, some causes do need to be treated.

                          Bacterial meningitis


                          Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. It’s fatal if left untreated. Between 5 to 40 percent of children and 20 to 50 percent of adults with this condition die. This is true even with proper treatment.

                          The most common types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis are:


                            1. Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is typically found in the respiratory tract, sinuses, and nasal cavity and can cause what’s called “pneumococcal meningitis”
                            2. Neisseria meningitidis, which is spread through saliva and other respiratory fluids and causes what’s called “meningococcal meningitis”
                            3. Haemophilus influenza, which can cause not only meningitis but infection of the blood, inflammation of the windpipe, cellulitis, and infectious arthritis
                            4. Listeria monocytogenes, which are foodborne bacteria
                            5. Staphylococcus aureus, which is typically found on the skin and in the respiratory tract, and causes “staphylococcal meningitis”

                            Chronic meningitis

                            Slow-growing organisms (such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain cause chronic meningitis. Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more. The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis — headaches, fever, vomiting and mental cloudiness — are similar to those of acute meningitis.


                            Fungal meningitis

                            Fungal meningitis is relatively uncommon and causes chronic meningitis. It may mimic acute bacterial meningitis. Fungal meningitis isn't contagious from person to person. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. It's life-threatening if not treated with an antifungal medication.


                            Risk factors

                            Risk factors for meningitis include:
                                1. Skipping vaccinations. Risk rises for anyone who hasn't completed the recommended childhood or adult vaccination schedule.
                                2. Age. Most cases of viral meningitis occur in children younger than age 5. Bacterial meningitis is common in those under age 20.
                                3. Living in a community setting. College students living in dormitories, personnel on military bases, and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at greater risk of meningococcal meningitis. This is probably because the bacterium is spread by the respiratory route, and spreads quickly through large groups.
                                4. Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the risk of listeriosis — an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which may also cause meningitis. Listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery.
                                5. Compromised immune system. AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes, use of immunosuppressant drugs and other factors that affect your immune system also make you more susceptible to meningitis. Having your spleen removed also increases your risk, and anyone without a spleen should get vaccinated to minimize that risk.

                                Complications


                                Meningitis complications can be severe. 
                                The longer you or your child has the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage, including:

                                • Hearing loss
                                • Memory difficulty
                                • Learning disabilities
                                • Brain damage
                                • Gait problems
                                • Seizures
                                • Kidney failure
                                • Shock
                                • Death
                                With prompt treatment, even patients with severe meningitis can have good recovery.

                                click here to read Prevention

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