About Meningitis

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 05:24 |

Mark Targett

Every year in the United States, thousands of people die of meningococcal meningitis and many more experience serious complications from this disease. Other people may develop pneumococcal meningitis. In both cases, most of those affected are children under the age of 5. Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most often caused by bacteria or viruses. Bacterial meningitis is usually much more serious than viral meningitis. Most cases of meningitis occur when bacteria from an infection in another part of your body travel through your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. But bacteria can also spread directly to your brain or spine from a severe head injury or from an infection in your ear, nose or teeth. Some types of meningitis are contagious. You may be exposed to the bacteria when someone with meningitis coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also spread through kissing or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. You're also at increased risk if you live or work with someone with the disease.

Meningitis strikes suddenly, usually with a high fever, severe headache and vomiting. As the disease progresses, the brain swells and may begin to bleed. Meningitis is fatal in about 10 percent of cases. Unfortunately, many of those who survive an attack may have serious long-term neurological complications, such as deafness, blindness, speech loss or brain damage.

Meningitis is a medical emergency. How well you recover depends on how quickly you receive treatment. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has symptoms of meningitis, seek medical care right away.

Signs and Symptoms

It's easy to mistake the early symptoms of bacterial and viral meningitis for the flu. These symptoms may develop over a period of 1 or 2 days, but some types of meningitis can prove fatal in a matter of hours. Even in less severe cases, the longer you delay getting treatment, the more likely you are to have permanent neurological damage. Seek medical care right away if you or anyone in your family has any of the following signs or symptoms:

A high fever that prevents you from eating or drinking
Severe headache
Vomiting
Confusion
Seizures
Progressive lethargy
Drowsiness
Stiff neck
Skin rash, especially near your armpits or on your hands or feet
Rapid progression of small hemorrhages under your skin
Sensitivity to light

Symptoms in newborns

Newborns and young infants may not have the classic symptoms of headache, fever and stiff neck. Instead, they may cry constantly, seem unusually sleepy or irritable, and eat poorly. Sometimes the soft spots on their head may bulge. Babies who are very ill may actually have a lower than normal temperature. A very late symptom may be a spasm consisting of extreme hyperextension of the body (opisthotonos).

Causes

Most meningitis is caused by either bacteria or viruses. But the disease can also result from a fungal infection, a blow to the head, some types of cancer, inflammatory diseases such as lupus, or a sensitivity reaction to certain medications — especially ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and an infusion of gamma globulins used to treat other conditions.

Bacterial Meningitis

A number of types of bacteria can cause acute bacterial meningitis. They include:

Pneumococcus. This bacterium is the most common cause of meningitis in adults and children. It most often occurs when the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) enters your bloodstream and migrates to your brain and spinal cord. You may also have this type of bacteria in your lungs, where it causes pneumonia. Pneumococcal meningitis can also result from an ear infection.
Meningococcus. This bacterium is another common cause of meningitis in children under age 5, in teens and in young adults. The incidence of meningococcal meningitis is increasing among college-aged students, especially those living in dormitories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases among 15- to 24-year-olds doubled between 1991 and 1997. Meningococcal meningitis commonly occurs when bacteria from an upper respiratory infection enter your bloodstream. It's highly contagious and may cause localized epidemics in college dormitories, boarding schools and on military bases . Acute bacterial meningitis also can occur when bacteria invade the meninges directly, rather than through the bloodstream. Common causes include ear or sinus infections and skull fractures. There are some vaccines available ask your doctor if you are living in a group environment.

Viral Meningitis

Also called aseptic meningitis, viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Common intestinal viruses cause about half the cases in the United States. Viruses associated with mumps, herpes infection or other diseases can also cause viral meningitis. In some cases, you or your child may pick up viral meningitis from polluted water.