An inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, meningitis causes changes to the cerebrospinal fluid, which protects the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections can cause meningitis, although Medline Plus points out that viruses commonly cause meningitis. In severe cases of meningitis, the Mayo Clinic notes that the infection can be life-threatening.
Brain Changes
The inflammation from meningitis can cause serious changes to patients' brains. For example, patients can have confusion, in which they have problems thinking clearly and making decisions. Patients may have problems concentrating, which can make it difficult to remember new information. They may also have decreased consciousness or become sleepy. Medline Plus notes that as the infection continues to affect the brain, patients can have brain damage in which they can lose essential brain functions. For example, the Mayo Clinic explains that patients can have hearing, vision or speech loss with the brain damage from meningitis. Change in cerebrospinal fluid may cause some patients to develop hydrocephalus, in which the fluid builds up in the brain and puts pressure on the skull. Seizures can occur as a result of the changes to the brain.
Movement Problems
Meningitis can affect patients' mobility and posture. For example, Medline Plus points out that patients may display opisthotonos, which is an abnormal posture. Patients with opisthotonos can have rigidity and severe back arching. Some patients may experience paralysis in different parts of the body. Paralysis that occurs in a patient's legs can affect his ability to walk.
Behavioral Changes
The Mayo Clinic notes that meningitis can result in behavioral changes in patients. For example, patients may become irritable or easily agitated when they have meningitis. Children with meningitis may have regressive behavior, such as bed-wetting, according to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Severe Headache
Another effect of meningitis is a severe headache, according to Medline Plus. When patients have this headache, they may also have nausea and vomiting. Some patients may have a sensitivity to light. Other patients may experience fever and chills.
Organ Failure
The Mayo Clinic points out that as meningitis starts to affect other parts of the body, patients can have organ failure. These organ failures include kidney failure and adrenal gland failure. With kidney failure, patients can have bloody stools, fluid retention, prolonged bleeding and easy bruising. Adrenal gland failure affects the production of cortisol, a hormone related to stress response.
