Meningitis is a medical condition that occurs when the membranes (called meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Meningitis is either caused by a viral infection, which is usually mild and does not require treatment, or a bacterial infection, which, if not treated, can result in severe complications. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of patients with bacterial meningitis will die from it, according to the doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most of the complications occur due to neurological damage including loss of senses, brain damage and paralysis, while others can be life-threatening including hydrocephalus and Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome.
Loss of Senses
The inflammation of the meninges can cause some areas of the brain and nerves to become compressed. If treatment is delayed this can result in permanent damage, which can cause a loss of hearing, visual impairment or blindness and loss of speech.
Brain Damage
The infection of the meninges and the resulting inflammation around the brain can cause blood vessel blockage, according to the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke. This can lead to permanent brain damage and/or stroke.
Paralysis
Motor functions can also be affected due to the continued inflammation that occurs in meningitis. Patients can experience a loss of coordination, weakness on one side of their body or even partial to total paralysis.
Hydrocephalus
Meningitis can cause permanent scarring that can alter the normal flow of the spinal fluid. This can lead to a condition known as hydrocephalus, the accumulation of spinal fluid inside the skull. This buildup of fluid can cause the brain to swell, putting pressure on the brain as it pushes against the skull and resulting in brain tissue damage. Hydrocephalus can lead to decreased mental functions, delayed development, especially in children, and loss of coordination, as well as other developmental problems. If not treated it can result in death.
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
Meningococcal meningitis, a specific type of bacterial meningitis caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, can lead to a condition called meningococcemia in which the bloodstream and other organs are affected by the infection. Areas of effected tissue can die resulting in bleeding under the skin or in mucus membranes. The body responds by going into shock, a critical condition in which blood flow drops severely.
This chain of events can cause the adrenal glands, two small organs located at the top of each kidney, to begin bleeding and even shut down. The adrenal glands are essential to life as they secrete a number of hormones, including the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. This condition is known as Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and can be fatal, according to The Merck Manuals.
