Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain. In general, meningitis causes a stiff neck, stiff back, severe headache, body aches, sleepiness or an inability to wake up. It is an emergency situation that can rapidly lead to death. For those who survive, there can also be lasting neurological effects. Fortunately, according to Kidshealth.org, it is not a very common disease. Meningitis can be caused by different viruses or bacteria.
Viral Meningitis
The types of viruses that can cause meningitis are common viruses like chicken pox, herpes and mumps. These viruses can gain access to the spinal cord and brain causing infection. According to Kidshealth.org, most children are vaccinated for these viruses so infection is not as likely as it used to be. Even with vaccines for some of these viruses, there are still other viruses that can infect the spinal cord. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, it is also less virulent than bacterial meningitis.
Haemophilus Influenzae
This bacterium is also known is Hib. Hib affects children ages 3 months old to 3 years old. These bacteria can infect the blood, joints and heart. Hib causes pneumonia normally, but once it makes it into the spinal cord and into the meninges of the brain, it can cause blindness, deafness and death. The CDC states that even with anti-bacterial treatment, 5 percent of those infected still die. Hib used to be the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but the Mayo Clinic states that recent vaccines have reduced the rate of infection.
Pneumococcus
Of the bacterial meningitis family, pneumococcus is the most mild of the three infections. This type of meningitis causes vomiting, sensitivity to light, severe headache, stiff neck and nausea. The Mayo Clinic states that this bacteria is also highly associated with ear infections in the young. This bacterium affects those who are immunocompromised like infants, toddlers, elderly and those with AIDS.
Meningococcus
Meningococcus can cause severe symptoms within a matter of a few hours. The Mayo Clinic states that this type of meningitis occurs after an upper-respiratory infection makes its way into the bloodstream. There is rapid onset of fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. Sometimes these symptoms can show up over the course of a few days. The CDC states that 10 to 15 percent of people die from this kind of meningitis and another 10 to 15 percent who survive are left with deafness, permanent loss of cognitive function, lose of the use of limbs and other issues. This type of meningitis usually effects children less than 1 year old, but can also become a problem in close-knit groups like college dorms and nursing homes.
