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Meningitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation causes changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
See also:
- Aseptic meningitis
- Meningitis - gram-negative
- Meningitis - H. influenzae
- Meningitis - meningococcal
- Meningitis - pneumococcal
- Meningitis - staphylococcal
- Meningitis - tuberculous
The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually get better without treatment. However, bacterial meningitis infections are extremely serious, and may result in death or brain damage even if treated.
Meningitis is also caused by:
- Chemical irritation
- Drug Allergies
- Fungi
- Tumors
Types include:
- Aseptic meningitis
- Cryptococcal meningitis
- Gram negative meningitis
- nullH. influenzameningitis
- Meningitis due to cancer (carcinomatous meningitis)
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococcal meningitis
- Staphylococcal meningitis
- Syphilitic aseptic meningitis
- Tuberculous meningitis
Acute bacterial meningitis is a true medical emergency, and requires immediate treatment in a hospital.
Viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than bacterial meningitis. It usually develops in the late summer and early fall, and often affects children and adults under age 30. Most infections occur in children under the age of 5. Most viral meningitis is due to enteroviruses, which are viruses that also cause intestinal illness.
Many other types of viruses can cause meningitis. For example, viral meningitis can be caused by herpes viruses, the same virus that can cause cold sores and genital herpes (although people with cold sores or genital herpes are not at a greater risk of developing herpes meningitis).
Recently, West Nile virus, spread by mosquito bites, has become a cause of viral meningitis in most of the United States.
Symptoms- Fever and chills
- Mental status changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck (meningismus)
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
- Agitation
- Bulging fontanelles
- Decreased consciousness
- Opisthotonos
- Poor feeding or irritability in children
- Rapid breathing
Meningitis is an important cause of fever in newborn children.
Signs and tests- Blood culture
- Chest x-ray
- Head CT scan
- Gram-stain and culture of CSF (cerebral spinal fluid)
- Lumbar puncture("spinal tap") with CSF glucose measurement and CSF cell count
Doctors prescribe antibiotics for bacterial meningitis. The type will vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection. Antibiotics are not effective in viral meningitis.
Other medications and intravenous fluids will be used to treat symptoms such as brain swelling, shock, and seizures. Some people may need to stay in the hospital, depending on the severity of the illness and the treatment needed.
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 lasting complications.
Complications- Brain damage
- Hearing loss or deafness
- Hydrocephalus
- Loss of vision
If you feel that you or your child has symptoms of meningitis, get 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.
- The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is now a routine childhood immunization and is very effective at preventing pneumococcal meningitis.
- Household members and others in close contact with people who have meningococcal meningitis should receive preventive antibiotics to avoid becoming infected themselves.
The meningococcal vaccination is recommended for:
- Adolescents ages 11 - 12 and adolescents entering high school (about age 15) who have not already received the vaccination.
- All college freshmen who have not been vaccinated and are living in dorms.
- Children age 2 and older who do not have their spleen or who have other problems with their immune system.
- Those traveling to countries where diseases caused by meningococcus are very common (ask your doctor).
Some communities conduct vaccination campaigns after an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis.
ReferencesSwartz MN. Meningitis: bacterial, viral, and other. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 437.
What else can I help you with?
Is viral meningitis more severe than bacterial meningitis?
No, bacterial meningitis is generally more severe than viral meningitis.
Common name for meningitis?
Spinal meningitis is a common name for meningitis.
What is the scientific name for meningitis?
The scientific name for meningitis is "meningococcal meningitis." It is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.
What are the key differences between bacterial and viral meningitis, and how can they be distinguished in terms of symptoms and treatment?
Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria, while viral meningitis is caused by viruses. Bacterial meningitis is typically more severe and can be life-threatening, while viral meningitis is usually less severe and resolves on its own. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and confusion, while viral meningitis symptoms are similar but milder. Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics, while viral meningitis does not respond to antibiotics and is managed with supportive care. A lumbar puncture can help distinguish between the two types of meningitis by analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid.
What is the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?
Viral meningitis is caused by a virus, while bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and can be life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention. Viral meningitis is typically less severe and often resolves on its own with rest and supportive care.
Who is most at risk for meningitis?
it usually feeds on children and old people
Is there math in meningitis?
There is no math in meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation, and is not mathematical in any way. Math involves numbers, and meningitis involves inflammation.
Is viral meningitis more severe than bacterial meningitis?
No, bacterial meningitis is generally more severe than viral meningitis.
Common name for meningitis?
Spinal meningitis is a common name for meningitis.
How do you get meningitis from leukemia?
How do u get meningitis from leukemia
Where does meningitis come from?
Meningitis is spread by coming in contact with the saliva or mucus of someone who already has meningitis. Meningitis affects the membranes that enclose the spinal cord and brain.
Scientific name for viral meningitis?
Aseptic meningitis
How many victims does Meningitis have annually?
This is actually for bacterial meningitis... sorry-About 20,000 deaths from meningitis in Africa 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)About 18,000 deaths from meningitis from meningitis in The Americas 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)About 73,000 deaths from meningitis from meningitis in South East Asia 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)About 15,000 deaths from meningitis from meningitis in Europe 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)About 25,000 deaths from meningitis from meningitis in Eastern Mediterranean 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)About 20,000 deaths from meningitis from meningitis in Western Pacific 2002 (The World Health Report, WHO, 2004)
Is Tubular and bacterial meningitis is the same?
No, tubercular meningitis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while bacterial meningitis can be caused by various types of bacteria. Tubercular meningitis specifically refers to meningitis caused by tuberculosis bacteria, while bacterial meningitis can be caused by a variety of bacterial species.
What can stop or cure spinal meningitis?
were a back brace what causes spinal meningitis is nothing spinal meningitis is an iheritish
Sentence for meningitis?
The word meningitis can be used in a few different ways in a sentence. You can use the sentence "The told me that I had meningitis".
How do you spell meningitis?
The medical condition is spelled correctly, "meningitis".
