What You Should Know About Meningitis

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is caused by an infection in the cerebral spinal fluid, that causes inflammation of the meniges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). Meningitis is less common now in young children due to the vaccines available to inoculate them for preschool. Prior to the vaccination of preschoolers, meningitis was most prevalent in children under the age of 5. But now the incidence of meningitis is higher in young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.

Meningitis is caused by fungal, bacterial and viral infections. The bacterial form of meningitis is the most serious of all. There is no way to know what form of meningitis is present until a sample of cerebral spinal fluid is obtained from a spinal tap and examined to determine the organism responsible for the infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?

The early signs and symptoms of meningitis may resemble the flu. As more symptoms occur, it is evident that medical help is necessary. The sighns and symptoms of meningitis include:

.Severe headache, with or without nausea and vomiting
High fever
Inability to concentrate
Confusion, disorientation
Inability to hold eye contact-in young children
Sleepiness, may have difficulty in waking up
Sensitivity to light-photophobia
Seizures
Stiff neck
Decreased interest in eating and drinking
Skin rash-in viral and bacterial forms of meningitis
Leg pain
Cold hands and feet
Pallor-pale skin

These symptoms may not be present in infants and newborns. Babies may be cranky, irritable, extremely sleepy and may not way to eat. The soft spot on the top of the baby's head may be bulging. Bacterial meningitis in infants and young children is the most serious form of the infection, and if it is not treated quickly, it can lead to brain damage and death in just a few days.

What causes meningitis?

Meningitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection, but it could also be caused from a bacterial or fungal infection. The bacterial infection is the most serious of all, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is necessary. The most common of the bacterial forms of meningitis are:

Pneumococcus-the most common cause of meningitis in infants, usually associated with an ear infection.
Meningococcus-most common form of meningitis in students and military personnel that live in close quarters, such as those that live in dormitories. The bacteria enters the blood stream from a respiratory infection.
Haemophilus-this form is less common now since the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine. When this form of meningitis occurs, it follows the upper respiratory tract through an ear or sinus infection. Prior to 1990, this was the most common form of meningitis.
Listeria-this form of meningitis has many causes because the bacteria is common to soil, pets, in contaminated food, as in lunch meats, hot dogs and soft cheeses. Most people that are exposed to Listeria don't get sick because our immune systems take care of it; however pregnant women, infants and older adults are the most vulnerable to the organism. A pregnant woman that becomes infected may deliver a stillborn baby.

What are other forms of meningitis?

Viral meningitis-clears up in about 10 days and is usually mild. It is caused by viruses that cause the flu, mumps, herpes and west nile. The signs and symptoms include severe headache, sore throat and joint pain.
Chronic meningitis-this is a very rare type of meningitis. This type is different than the acute form because the organism is slow growing and takes up to 4 weeks to develop symptoms. The signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and mental cloudiness.
Fungal meningitis-most commonly associated with AIDS, and is always life threatening.
Non-infectious meningitis-mostly associated with drug allergies, lupus and some types of cancer.

Who is a risk for meningitis?

Very young children and young adults are more at risk to develop meningitis than the rest of the population. Students and military personnel that live in dorms are at risk to develop meningococcal meningitis, which spreads very quickly in a highly populated area. Pregnant women are at risk for listerial meningitis, which can cause stillbirth. People who work with animals, including dairy farmers are also at risk. People who have an impaired immune system from the used of immunosuppressant drugs, diabetes, AIDS and thosse that have had their spleen removed are also at risk.

Should you or your child develop symptoms of meningitis (fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and or vomiting) get medical help right away. Viral meningitis may go away on its own after 8 to 10 days, but bacterial meningitis can present very quickly and be much more serious.

How is meningitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will make his/her diagnosis after doing a history and physical. He/she will also order some diagnostic tests that may include a throat culture. The throat culture will not diagnose meningitis, but it will identify the organism that causes colds, throat and or sinus infections, which can lead to the onset of meningitis.

X-rays and CT scans can show swelling and inflammation of the head and chest, which may indicate the presence of an infection that may be associated with meningitis. A spinal tap is done to determine the presence of an infection within the cerebral spinal fluid, and the examination will determine the exact organism causing the infection.

How is meningitis treated?

After diagnosis, the treatment should begin right away. The longer you have the disease before treatment begins, puts you or your child at risk for deafness, blindness, paralysis, and other serious problems. A broad spectrum antibiotic is the drug of choice to resolve bacterial meningitis. Treatments may be necessary to combat swelling, seizure activity, shock and dehydration, if these conditions occur.

Viral meningitis usually goes away on its own, but antiviral medications may be administered if necessary. Viral meningitis is usually treated by bed rest, over the counter medications, and increased fluid intake.

Meningitis is commonly caused by the bacteria and viruses that are passed through coughing, sneezing, as well as kissing, or sharing eating utensils, and toothbrushes. Be sure to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Teach your children to do the same. Practice good hand washing techniques under running water. Cook food thoroughly, and don't share any personal items. If you smoke, don't even share a cigarette.