Meningitis
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Content medically reviewed byDr. Karthikeya T M·MD, Internal MedicineWhat is Meningitis?Treatment optionsNutritional adviceHow is this diagnosed?SymptomsSymptomsIf you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Meningitis, seek medical attention immediately.Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. Headache with nausea or vomiting Decreased appetite Confusion or difficulty concentrating Sudden fever Severe Headache that seems different than normal Seizures Sensitivity to light Sleepiness Lethargy Skin rash Meningitis is most commonly caused by bacterial and viral infection Viral Meningitis is caused by Enterovirus class viruses Coxsackie viruses Echo viruses Other type of viruses which can cause meningitis include West Nile virus Influenza, HIV Herpes virus, etc Most viral meningitis resolves without specific treatment. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacterial infection. This is contagious and deadly. Most common types of bacterial species that cause bacterial meningitis are Streptococcus pneumonia – causes pneumococcal meningitis Neisseria mengitidis – causes meningococcal meningitis Listeria monocytogens Haemophilus Influenza Bacterial and viral meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing and sharing utensils, etc. Spread can be prevented by covering mouth while coughing and sneezing. Avoiding contact with sick people- particularly if you have an immune problem (for example due to medications or chemotherapy is strongly recommended). The risk factors include: Age - Children below 5 years are more prone to develop viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is common in below 20 years of age. Pregnancy Weakened immune system Skipping vaccinations Vaccination is available for some of the bacterial meningitis. Available vaccines includes: Hemophilusinfluenza type b (Hib) vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), Meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Regular Hand Washing – Handwashing before eating, after using toilets, spending time in public or crowded place. Practice good hygiene: One can prevent the spread of infection by avoiding sharing of food, drinks, and utensils. Balanced diet and healthy weight increase the immunity and prevent infection. Brain damage Seizure Hearing loss Buildup of fluid between brain and skull Learning disabilities Loss of memory
Headache with nausea or vomiting
Decreased appetite
Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Sudden fever
Severe Headache that seems different than normal
Seizures
Sensitivity to light
Sleepiness
Lethargy
Skin rash
Meningitis is most commonly caused by bacterial and viral infection
Viral Meningitis is caused by
Enterovirus class viruses
Coxsackie viruses
Echo viruses
Other type of viruses which can cause meningitis include
West Nile virus
Influenza, HIV
Herpes virus, etc
Most viral meningitis resolves without specific treatment.
Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacterial infection. This is contagious and deadly. Most common types of bacterial species that cause bacterial meningitis are
Streptococcus pneumonia – causes pneumococcal meningitis
Neisseria mengitidis – causes meningococcal meningitis
Listeria monocytogens
Haemophilus Influenza
Bacterial and viral meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing and sharing utensils, etc. Spread can be prevented by covering mouth while coughing and sneezing. Avoiding contact with sick people- particularly if you have an immune problem (for example due to medications or chemotherapy is strongly recommended).
The risk factors include:
Age - Children below 5 years are more prone to develop viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is common in below 20 years of age.
Pregnancy
Weakened immune system
Skipping vaccinations
Vaccination is available for some of the bacterial meningitis. Available vaccines includes: Hemophilusinfluenza type b (Hib) vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), Meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
Regular Hand Washing – Handwashing before eating, after using toilets, spending time in public or crowded place. Practice good hygiene: One can prevent the spread of infection by avoiding sharing of food, drinks, and utensils. Balanced diet and healthy weight increase the immunity and prevent infection.
Brain damage
Seizure
Hearing loss
Buildup of fluid between brain and skull
Learning disabilities
Loss of memory
DA: 9 PA: 90 MOZ Rank: 97
