An inflammation of membranes- meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The swelling associated with it often triggers the "hallmark" signs and symptoms of this condition, including stiff neck, fever, and headache.
Most cases of it are caused by bacterial and fungal infections and also viral infections that can lead to it. Depending on the cause of the infection, it can get better on its own in a couple of weeks — or it can be a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.
Signs and symptoms:
It's easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of it for the flu (influenza). The symptoms and signs may develop over several hours or over one or two days
• Sudden high fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting or nausea with headache
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Seizures
• Sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• Sensitivity to light
• No interest in eating and drinking
• Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis
Causes:
It usually results from a viral infection, but the reason may also be a bacterial infection. A fungal infection may also cause it. The bacterial infections are the most serious and can also be life-threatening; hence, identifying the source of the infection is an important part of developing a treatment plan.
Bacterial meningitis
It usually occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and migrate to the brain and spinal cord. It also occurs when bacteria directly invade the meninges, as a result of a skull fracture, or an ear or sinus infection, or rarely, after some surgeries.
Risk factors:
• Skipping vaccinations : If you or your child hasn't completed the recommended childhood or adult vaccination schedule, the risk of it is higher.
• Age : Most cases of viral occur in children younger than age 5. Bacterial commonly affects people, living in community settings and are under 20.
• Living in a community setting. College students who live in dormitories, on military bases, personnel and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis. This mainly occurs because the bacterium is spread by the respiratory route and tends to spread quickly wherever large groups congregate.
• Pregnancy : You're at increased risk of contracting listeriosis if you are pregnant. It is an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which also may cause it. If you have listeriosis, your unborn baby is at risk of having it.
• Compromised immune system : Factors that may compromise your immune system — including diabetes, AIDS, alcoholism, and use of immunosuppressant drugs — also make you more susceptible to it.
Treatment:
The treatment depends on the type of it you or your child has.
Bacterial
To ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, like seizures and brain swelling it requires prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics and, more recently, cortisone medications. The combination of antibiotics or antibiotics that your doctor may suggest depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Infected sinuses or mastoids — the bones behind the outer ear that connect to the middle ear — may need to be drained.
Viral
Antibiotics can't it and most cases improve on their own in several weeks. Treatment include
• Bed rest
• Plenty of fluids
• To reduce pain take over the-counter medications
An antiviral medication is available if the cause of it is a herpes virus.
Prevention:
• Wash your hands.
• Practice good hygiene.
• Stay healthy.
• Cover your mouth.
• Take care with food if you are pregnant.
Most cases of it are caused by bacterial and fungal infections and also viral infections that can lead to it. Depending on the cause of the infection, it can get better on its own in a couple of weeks — or it can be a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.
Signs and symptoms:
It's easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of it for the flu (influenza). The symptoms and signs may develop over several hours or over one or two days
• Sudden high fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting or nausea with headache
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Seizures
• Sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• Sensitivity to light
• No interest in eating and drinking
• Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis
Causes:
It usually results from a viral infection, but the reason may also be a bacterial infection. A fungal infection may also cause it. The bacterial infections are the most serious and can also be life-threatening; hence, identifying the source of the infection is an important part of developing a treatment plan.
Bacterial meningitis
It usually occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and migrate to the brain and spinal cord. It also occurs when bacteria directly invade the meninges, as a result of a skull fracture, or an ear or sinus infection, or rarely, after some surgeries.
Risk factors:
• Skipping vaccinations : If you or your child hasn't completed the recommended childhood or adult vaccination schedule, the risk of it is higher.
• Age : Most cases of viral occur in children younger than age 5. Bacterial commonly affects people, living in community settings and are under 20.
• Living in a community setting. College students who live in dormitories, on military bases, personnel and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis. This mainly occurs because the bacterium is spread by the respiratory route and tends to spread quickly wherever large groups congregate.
• Pregnancy : You're at increased risk of contracting listeriosis if you are pregnant. It is an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which also may cause it. If you have listeriosis, your unborn baby is at risk of having it.
• Compromised immune system : Factors that may compromise your immune system — including diabetes, AIDS, alcoholism, and use of immunosuppressant drugs — also make you more susceptible to it.
Treatment:
The treatment depends on the type of it you or your child has.
Bacterial
To ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, like seizures and brain swelling it requires prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics and, more recently, cortisone medications. The combination of antibiotics or antibiotics that your doctor may suggest depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Infected sinuses or mastoids — the bones behind the outer ear that connect to the middle ear — may need to be drained.
Viral
Antibiotics can't it and most cases improve on their own in several weeks. Treatment include
• Bed rest
• Plenty of fluids
• To reduce pain take over the-counter medications
An antiviral medication is available if the cause of it is a herpes virus.
Prevention:
• Wash your hands.
• Practice good hygiene.
• Stay healthy.
• Cover your mouth.
• Take care with food if you are pregnant.
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