Meningitis

                                                                                            Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

The swelling associated with meningitis often triggers the "hallmark" signs and symptoms of this condition, including headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms that may occur in anyone older than age of 2 include:

·         Sudden high fever

·         Severe headache that isn't easily confused with other types of headache

·         Stiff neck

·         Vomiting or nausea with headache

·         Confusion or difficulty concentrating

·         Seizures

·         Sleepiness or difficulty waking up

·         Sensitivity to light

·         Lack of interest in drinking and eating

·         Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis

Seek medical care right away if you or someone in your family has signs or symptoms of meningitis, such as:

·         Fever

·         Severe, unrelenting headache

·         Confusion

·         Vomiting

·         Stiff neck

Viral meningitis may improve without treatment, but bacterial meningitis is serious, can come on very quickly and requires prompt antibiotic treatment to improve the chances of a recovery. Delaying treatment for bacterial meningitis increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death. In addition, bacterial meningitis can prove fatal in a matter of days.

There's no way to know what kind of meningitis you or your child has without seeing your doctor and undergoing spinal fluid testing.

It's also important to talk to your doctor if a family member or someone you work with has meningitis. You may need to take medications to prevent an infection.

Causes

Meningitis usually results from a viral infection, but the cause may also be a bacterial infection. Less commonly, a fungal infection may cause meningitis. Because bacterial infections are the most serious and can be life-threatening, identifying the source of the infection is an important part of developing a treatment plan.

Other meningitis causes

Meningitis can also result from non-infectious causes, such as chemical reactions, drug allergies, some types of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis.

Complications

The complications of meningitis can be severe. The longer you or your child has the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage, including:

·         Hearing loss

·         Memory difficulty

·         Learning disabilities

·         Brain damage

·         Gait problems

·         Seizures

·         Kidney failure

·         Shock

·         Death

Tests and diagnosis

You or your child may undergo the following diagnostic tests:

Blood cultures, Imaging , Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

Treatments and drugs

The treatment depends on the type of meningitis you or your child has.

Prevention

Meningitis typically results from contagious infections. Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette. You're also at increased risk if you live or work with someone who has the disease.

These steps can help prevent meningitis:

Wash your hands, Practice good hygiene, Stay healthy, Cover your mouth, Immunizations

Some forms of bacterial meningitis are preventable with the following vaccinations

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine , Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) , Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) , Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y vaccine (Hib-MenCY). , Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) , Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4).