Meningitis
Alternative Names
bacterial meningitis; viral meningitis
Definition
An infection which causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and
spinal cord.
Causes, Incidence and
Risk Factors
The most common causes of meningitis are bacterial infections that start in
other parts of the body and spread to the brain or spinal cord via the
bloodstream. Meningitis is also caused by viruses, chemical irritation, or
tumors.
Types include:
meningitis,
cryptococcal syphilitic aseptic meningitis meningitis, H.
influenza meningitis; meningococcal meningitis, pneumococcal
meningitis, staphylococcal meningitis, tuberculous aseptic
meningitis meningitis gram negative
Acute bacterial
meningitis is very serious and should be treated immediately to prevent
permanent damage. Bacterial strains that cause meningitis include
Streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus, and Meningococcus. In
the U.S. about 17,500 cases of bacterial meningitis occur each year. Common
viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than bacterial meningitis. It
usually develops in the winter and affects people under 30. Seventy percent of
the infections occur in children under the age of 5. Other types of viral
meningitis are rare, but more serious.
Symptoms:
fever
headache, severe nausea and vomiting stiff neck
sensitivity to light (photophobia) mental status changes
Additional symptoms
that may be associated with this disease:
speech
impairment neck pain muscle pain hallucinations facial
paralysis eye lid drooping drowsiness consciousness,
decreased chills breathing, rapid agitation positive
Babinski's reflex fontanelles - bulging opisthotonos poor feeding
irritability
Signs And Tests:
lumbar puncture CSF
smear culture of CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) skull X-ray, sinuses
X-ray, and chest X-ray
head CT scan looking for abscess or deep swelling
This disease may also
alter the results of the following tests:
CSF glucose - CSF cell
count
Treatment
Antibiotics will be
prescribed for bacterial meningitis; the type will vary depending on the
infecting organism. Antibiotics are ineffective in viral meningitis. Treatment
of secondary symptoms including brain swelling, shock, and convulsions will
require other medications and intravenous fluids. Hospitalization may be
required depending on the severity of the illness and the needed treatment.
Expectations
(Prognosis)
Early diagnosis and
treatment of bacterial meningitis is essential to prevent permanent
neurological damage. Viral meningitis is usually not serious, and symptoms
should disappear within 2 weeks with no residual complications.
Complications
hearing loss brain
damage loss of vision deafness
Calling Your Health Care Provider
If you feel that you or your child have symptoms suggestive of meningitis, you
must seek emergency medical help immediately. Early treatment is key to a good
outcome.
Prevention
Haemophilus vaccine (HiB vaccine) in children will help prevent one type of
meningitis.
It is highly recommended that parents and close contacts of individuals with
meningitis caused by certain bacterial strains take preventative measures to
avoid infliction themselves. (See Meningitis, meningococcal, and Meningitis,
H. influenza'
