Meningitis describes inflammation of the meninges, which is a layer of tissue that lines the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be life-threatening or fairly mild, depending on its cause. The swelling around the brain that this condition causes can lead to permanent brain damage and seizures.
Types
Meningitis comes in three forms. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria getting into the cerebrospinal fluid. It is also the most dangerous, the Mayo Clinic explains. Bacterial meningitis can be caused by infections from Streptococcus, Neisseria, Listeria and Haemophilus bacteria. The number of cases of meningitis caused by Haemophilus bacteria has gone down in recent years due to the use of vaccines that protect against these infections. Viral meningitis is the most common form and also is typically milder than bacterial cases. Most cases of viral meningitis are caused by a family of viruses called enteroviruses. Fungal meningitis can be caused by cryptococcal fungi and typically only affect people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms
Meningitis is normally marked by the development of a high fever, severe headache and a stiff neck. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting and confusion. which can manifest as difficulty in concentrating. Patients may also be sleepy, be sensitive to light or have seizures. In some cases, a rash may develop.
Diagnosis
It is essential to determine the cause of meningitis as soon as possible, the Journal of the American Medical Association explains. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a test in which the cerebrospinal fluid in the spine is withdrawn using a small sterile needle inserted into the lower part of the back. The fluid may be cultured to look for the presence of bacteria. Doctors may also measure the number of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, which can indicate an infection. Blood tests may also be needed to confirm an infection.
Treatment
The treatment for meningitis varies depending on whether the infection is caused by bacteria or not. Patients with bacterial meningitis should immediately receive intravenous antibiotics; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that if antibiotics are given early, the risk of death is below 15 percent. No specific treatments for viral or fungal cases of meningitis exist. Instead, patients will be told to rest, drink plenty of fluids and to take medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to lower the fever. These cases typically resolve on their own after a couple of weeks.
Complications
Bacterial meningitis is a severe medical problem, the Mayo Clinic explains, because it often causes harsher symptoms. The longer a patient has meningitis, the greater the risk of neurological damage and seizures. Viral meningitis is less serious and rarely causes any serious complications. Patients with fungal meningitis typically have a severely weakened immune system, which can be caused by HIV or some medications.
