Meningitis

What is Meningitis ?

Meningitis is an infection and swelling, called inflammation, of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. The inflammation from meningitis most often triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States. Bacteria, parasites and fungi also can cause it. Sometimes meningitis improves in a few weeks without treatment. But meningitis also can cause death. It often needs quick treatment with antibiotics. Seek medical care right away if you think that you or someone in your family has meningitis. For meningitis caused by bacteria, early treatment can prevent serious complications.

Symptoms

  • Sudden high fever
  • Stiff neck
  • Bad headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Confusion or trouble concentrating
  • Seizures
  • Sleepiness or trouble waking
  • Sensitivity to light
  • No desire to eat or drink
  • Skin rash sometimes
  • Poor feeding
  • Being not active or sluggish

Cause

Infectious diseases (caused by something harmful from outside of your body) and non-infectious conditions cause meningitis. Infectious causes are bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and the ameba Naegleria fowleri. Non-infectious causes include diseases, certain medications and other conditions. Causes of bacterial meningitis : Streptococcus pneumonia, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitides, Haemophilus influenza, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Causes of viral meningitis : Non-polio enteroviruses, Mumps, Herpesviruses, Measles, Influenza, Arboviruses, such as West Nile virus, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Causes of fungal meningitis : Coccidioides. Causes of parasitic meningitis : Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Baylisascaris procyonis, Gnathostoma spinigerum. Causes of amebic meningitis (PAM) : Naegleria fowleri causes amebic meningitis. Causes of non-infectious meningitis : Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), Certain medications, like NSAIDs and antibiotics, Head injuries, Brain surgery.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for meningitis include, Not getting vaccinations. Risk rises for anyone who hasn’t gotten all the childhood or adult vaccinations. Age. Viral meningitis most often happens in children younger than age 5 years. Bacterial meningitis is common in those younger than age 20 years. Living in groups. College students living in dorms, people on military bases, and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at greater risk of meningococcal meningitis. This is probably because the germ quickly spreads through large groups. Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the risk of an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which also may cause meningitis. The infection raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery. Weakened immune system. AIDS, alcohol use disorder, diabetes, medicines that lower the immune system and other factors that affect the immune system raise the risk of meningitis. Having a spleen removed also raises risk. For people without a spleen, a vaccine can lower the risk.

When to see a Doctor

Seek immediate medical care if you or someone in your family has meningitis signs or symptoms, such as : fever, severe unrelenting headache, confusion, vomiting, stiff neck. Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be fatal within days without prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death.

Find Tests

References : 1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350508#:~:text=Meningitis%20is%20an%20infection%20and%20swelling%20and%20irritation%2C%20called%20inflammation,layer%20is%20the%20pia%20mater. 2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14600-meningitis#symptoms-and-causes