Meningitis: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Treatment, Risks More

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is a condition where the meninges that surround brain and spinal cord. The swelling of meninges is the main symptom of this condition including stiff neck, headache etc..Here are the Causes of Meningitis

Causes of Meningitis

1. It can be bacterial or
2. Fungal or
3. Viral infection.

Depending upon the severity, it can either require medical supervision or not, sometimes it recovers on it’s own.

Course of infection

It can show up in few hours or few days depending upon whether it is bacterial or fungal infection.

Common symptoms of meningitis

1.  Headache
2. Nausea
3. Drowsiness
4. Disorientation
5. Neck stiffness
6. Low sensitivity to light
7. Low appetite
8. Seizures and coma ( in severe cases)

Causes of Meningitis – risk factors

It can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Though bacterial infection is more dangerous.

Risk Factors for meningitis

1. Skipping Vaccinations – Adult and child vaccinations must never be skipped.
2. Age – Viral meningitis affects children below 5 and viral meningitis affects people below 20 years of age.
3. living in a community setting – This includes dorms, personnel in bases, etc.
4. Pregnancy- Pregnant women can contact listeriosis which can lead to meningitis.
5. Compromised immune system – an immune system that is impaired is more at risk to contract meningitis.

Types of Meningitis

1.  Bacterial meningitis – It is caused when the bacteria attack the bloodstream of the person and affect the spinal cord and brain. Sometimes they directly attack the meninges, causing severe meningitis. The most common strains of bacteria that cause meningitis are streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria meningitides, Haemophilus influenza, and listeria monocytogenes.
2. Viral meningitis – this is caused by a variety of viruses, and is often mild  Enteroviruses are responsible for the majority of meningitis cases in the US but other viruses like herpes simplex virus, mumps HIV and West Nile virus can also be the caused goes on its own.
3. Chronic meningitis –  This occurs when slow-growing organisms enter the membranes and fluid that surrounds the brain. It develops in a period of two or more weeks.
4. Fungal Meningitis – It is uncommon and is the main cause of chronic meningitis. Unlike bacterial meningitis, it is not contagious. It is life-threatening without the use of antifungal medication for treatment.

Tests and Diagnosis

Physical examination of throat and ears is especially done to ascertain the condition.

Other symptoms as listed above also are considered before ordering a diagnosis.

Tests required

1. Blood cultures
2. imaging
3. Spinal Tap

Treatments-

1. For bacterial meningitis– Intravenous medication using cortisone. The doctor will choose a combination of antibiotics, depending on the specific bacteria that is causing the infection. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is used until the specific cause of the meningitis is determined. If there is an infected sinus or mastoid, they will be drained.
2. Viral meningitis – Needs not much treatment, a lot of fluid intake is a must to recover soon. For meningitis caused by the herpes virus, there is an antiviral drug available.
3. Other types of meningitis – If the cause is unknown, antiviral and antibiotic treatment can be used while the cause is still being discovered. Fungal meningitis requires the use of antifungal medications, but the problem is that these medications can cause serious side effects, so the treatment is not given until fungal meningitis is confirmed by the laboratory.

Precautions:

1. Healthy diet and lifestyle
2. Regular exercise
3. Immunization Hydration and including of child and adults
4. Hydration and inclusion of antibiotic drugs available over the counter for fever and pain.