Bacterial meningitis is the leading cause of death from meningitis. However, certain types of meningitis can resolve on their own. Read on to find out all you need to know about meningitis.
Meningitis occurs when the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord are inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by an infection, which may be a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Parasites, cancer, and certain drugs like NSAIDs can also trigger the inflammation.
The membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord are called meninges, hence the name meningitis. Meningitis manifests with symptoms like a high fever, persistent headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting.
Some forms of meningitis can resolve on their own after some time, while others are deadly and need immediate treatment.
This article will teach you about meningitis, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, complications, and treatment.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes called meninges, which surround the brain and spinal cord. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, cancer, and drugs can cause this condition.
A common type of meningitis in Nigeria is meningococcal meningitis, a bacterial meningitis that has become a public health concern.
Yes, meningitis is more common in Africa.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the highest incidence of meningitis stretches from Ethiopia to Senegal and northern parts of Nigeria.
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, medical conditions like cancer, and certain drugs can cause meningitis.
Causes of viral meningitis include:
Causes of bacterial meningitis include:
Causes of fungal meningitis include:
Causes of parasitic meningitis include:
Other causes of meningitis include:
Here are the different types of meningitis:
Bacterial meningitis, which can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis, is the most severe and life-threatening type of meningitis. According to the WHO, about 1 in 6 people with bacterial meningitis die, while 1 in 5 have severe complications.
Vaccination is an effective way to prevent bacterial meningitis. However, when an individual is infected, they should contact their doctor or visit a hospital promptly for treatment. Immediate treatment can help prevent death.
Viral meningitis, caused by a virus infecting the meninges, is the most common type of meningitis.
The major cause of viral meningitis is enterovirus. Other causes include herpes viruses and influenza viruses. Viral meningitis is more common in young children but can occur in people of all ages.
Viral meningitis is also common in people who have low immunity, either from other diseases such as HIV infection or autoimmune diseases or from prolonged use of certain drugs like steroids.
Fungal meningitis occurs when a fungal infection spreads to the brain or spinal cord. Cryptococcus and Coccidiodes are common causes of fungal meningitis. These organisms usually live in the environment, and people can easily breathe them in, making them sick.
Also, it’s important to note that people who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk of getting fungal meningitis.
This type of meningitis is less common than viral and bacterial meningitis, and it occurs when parasites like Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Baylisascaris procyonis, or Gnathostoma spinigerum cause the inflammation of the meninges.
Also, parasitic meningitis cannot be spread from one person to another, unlike viral and bacterial meningitis.
These include meningitis that is not caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Drugs like NSAIDs or certain antibiotics can cause this type of meningitis.
The symptoms of the different types of meningitis are similar, although they differ based on severity, as the symptoms of bacterial meningitis are more severe.
Also, symptoms differ from children to adults.
Symptoms of meningitis in adults include:
Symptoms of meningitis in children include:
Certain factors increase your chances of contracting meningitis, such as age, disease conditions, and where you live or visit.
Factors that can increase the risk of meningitis include:
Bacterial meningitis is dangerous and often leads to morbidity and mortality in adults and children. These complications can either be short-term or long-term.
Some short-term complications include:
While long-term complications include:
These neurological complications are more common in children, and bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumonia.
The diagnosis of meningitis can be done using a variety of tests. Standard diagnostic tests for meningitis include:
Your doctor can also order some diagnostic tests to check for the presence of specific organisms. For instance, multiplex and specific Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs) can be used to test for viral organisms, while CSF fungal culture can be used to test for the presence of fungal organisms.
Treatment of meningitis is usually based on the type of meningitis.
Meningitis can only be properly diagnosed by a healthcare provider, so ensure you visit a hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment if you notice any symptoms. A delay in diagnosis and commencement of treatment can lead to complications and death.
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