The most common cause of meningitis is a viral illness which spread to involve the meninges. Meningitis occurs in people of all ages, but it is more common in children and people over 65. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a serious, sometimes lifethreatening infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis about bacterial meningitis infection cdc. Aseptic meningitis is the clinical syndrome of meningeal inflammation with negative cultures for routine bacterial pathogens in a patient who did not receive antibiotics before lumbar puncture. Meningitis caused by other viruses such as measles, herpes and west nile is rare, but can be serious. Meningitis is an acute inflammation o the pertective membranes coverin the harn and spinal cord, kent collectively as the meninges. In general, meningitis due to bacteria bacterial meningitis is more severe than meningitis caused by viruses viral meningitis. Some children with meningitis may have longterm problems, but this depends on the cause of the infection and the age of the child. Best effect if steroid dexamethasone is given before or with first antibiotic dose 2.
Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Rarer types of meningitis include chemical and fungal meningitis. Within these more common bacteria, are other bacteria that cause rarer types of meningitis. Several types of bacteria can first cause an upper respiratory tract infection and then travel through the bloodstream to the brain. Read the stories that inspire us to create a world free from the diseases. Aseptic meningitis has a number of infectious and noninfectious causes. Most children with viral meningitis recover completely. There are no preventions for viral meningitis at this time, but people who are infected usually recover completely within 5 to 10 days. These bacteria can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or saliva transfer during kissing or mouthtomouth resuscitation. The inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection and can be lifethreatening. Meningococcal disease, which includes meningitis, is a serious bacterial infection that strikes between and 2600 americans each year.
Monitor temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate 4 hourly 3. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of meningitis in the united states are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Meningitis cannot be diagnosed over the phone or simply based on a telephone description of the situation. Meningitis in children symptoms, warning signs, treatment. The symptoms of meningitis dont appear in any particular order and may appear differently in different people. While some forms of meningitis are mild and resolve without treatment, meningitis can be potentially lifethreatening. These findings may facilitate bacterial meningitis prevention and treatment. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses. Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Herpes simplex virus type 2, which usually causes genital herpes, is present in many cases of mollarets. This is normally caused by infection but can also have noninfectious causes.
It is one of those very serious diagnoses that if suspected in the emergency room, doctors act on quicklyusually with a spinal tap to look at and test the fluid around those membranes and immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment. Stoddard and others published strategies for the prevention of meningitis find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Pdf pathophysiology of meningococcal meningitis and. The infection can be bacterial, fungal, or viral, and causes the spinal cord and brain membranes to swell. The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in children is changing.
Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet national institute. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Both bacterial and viral meningitis are spread person to person similarly. Bacterial meningitis also produces effects on blood vessels in the subarachnoid space with resulting vasculitis, vessel narrowing, thrombosis, and ischemia or infarction of the brain. The purposes of these practical guidelines are to help. The image below depicts acute bacterial meningitis. Europe exist, and empiric antibiotic treatment needs to be adjusted according to.
Bacterial meningitis is inflammation of the lining that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. Corticosteroids can be started at the same time as the. Meningitis meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, manifest by cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis ie, an increased number of white blood cells. Can people with meningitis pass the illness to others. The usual signs and symptoms of meningitis are headache, fever, and a stiff neck. Introduction to meningitis brain, spinal cord, and nerve. Although rare in developed countries, parasites like naegleria fowleri can also cause meningitis, as can non. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes meninges that surround the brain and the spinal cord. Some forms of bacterial meningitis can be prevented by vaccination. While this is correct when looking at the number of cases annually, in most cases the most common forms of meningococcal and meningitis can be prevented through vaccination and proper hygiene. In observance of world meningitis day 2015, we can proudly recognize how the shared vision and ongoing commitment of global partners is eliminating serogroup a meningitis as a public health concern in africa. The bacteria are found in the mouth, throat, or nose. Meningitis usually begins with an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections.
Jul 18, 2014 meningitis is an umbrella term for five types of the disease, each characterized by its underlying cause. Mollarets meningitis is a rare type of chronic, recurrent, lymphocytic meningitis, often caused by infection with herpes simplex virus type 2. Cdc global health stories an update on global partners. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord that can be caused by several different types of, as well as viruses and fungibacteria. Learn about the rarer causes as meningitis can affect anyone. Pathophysiology and treatment of bacterial meningitis. Find out about viral meningitis, the types of bacterial meningitis and the rarer types of meningitis such as chemical and fungal meningitis and the support we offer. View as pdf send by post meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. The most common are viruses and bacteria which account for the majority of cases. However, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities can result from the infection. Current and historical conditions indexed list of current and historical nationally notifiable conditions.
Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease, which progresses very quickly. Division of infectious diseases, childrens mercy hospitals and clinics, kansas city, mo. Understanding the 5 types of meningitis meningitis center. Treatment is generally the same as for any other viral infection and consists of plenty of rest. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises. In older children and adults symptoms of meningitis can include headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, drowsiness and confusion, and discomfort looking at bright lights. For example, there are viral, bacterial, noninfectious aseptic, and many other types of meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a persons spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
Jul 16, 2019 meningitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of the meninges. Additionally, ventilator assistance, kidney dialysis or other supportive treatments may be needed. A doctor must perform specific tests to check for the type usually bacterial or viral of meningitis. Most cases of meningitis result from infections that are contagious. Whilst meningitis is considered a rare disease, there are even. Although rare, meningococcal disease can cause meningitis swelling of the brain or spinal cord or meningococcemia blood. When mm is associated with shock, early recognition and treatment of shock is essential. Types of bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis include haemophilus influenzae usually type b, streptococcus pneumoniae, and neisseria meningitidis. Persontoperson spread can happen with direct and indirect contact between individuals coughing up droplets, contact with the feces, sneezing, saliva, kissing, or eating contaminated food. Csf outflow resistance is elevated and inhibits csf flow from the subarachnoid space to the dural sinuses.
Doctors and scientists will say that meningococcal and meningitis are very rare diseases. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. No investigation should delay starting antibiotics once the diagnosis is suspected. Meningitis caused by haemophilus influenzae type b hib haemophilus influenzae type b, a potentially fatal disease, once claimed many lives. A prospective study of etiology of childhood acute bacterial. The peripheral white blood cell count alone is not help. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, in particular the arachnoid and the pia mater, associated with the invasion of bacteria into the subarachnoid space, principles known for more than 100 years flexner, 1907. Some of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus.
In many cases, the specific virus that caused the meningitis is not identified. Routine neuroimaging is not necessary for the initial medical evaluation of children with suspected bacterial meningitis who do not have clinical signs of brain herniation. The testing for both meningitis and aseptic meningitis is mostly the same. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. Patients diagnosed with meningitis syndrome may all exhibit similar symptoms i. Treatment of the three common forms of pyogenic meningitis has been greatly com plicated by increasing prevalence of several types of antibiotic drug. Meningitis is a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, the meninges.
When meningitis is mild, drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and taking overthecounter otc drugs can help relieve fever and pain. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by fever, vomiting. Find out what distinguishes these types of meningitis and the steps you can take to avoid. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria neisseria meningitidis, and. Types and causes of meningitis and meningococcal disease. Learn more about how you get meningitis, its symptoms, and how its treated at webmd. Viral meningitis infections occur most often in the summer and fall when the primary causes are most prevalent. Symptoms of fungal meningitis resemble the other types of this infection. The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly. Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.
About 90% of viral meningitis cases are due to common stomach viruses called enteroviruses, but other viruses can also cause viral meningitis. The book of experience meningitis research foundation. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity. General measures may help relieve symptoms when meningitis is caused by conditions such as a viral infection or a reaction to a drug. It took ten long years to develop and deliver the lifesaving menafrivac to subsaharan africa. Aseptic meningitis is caused by viruses, mycobacteria, spirochetes, fungi, medications, and cancer malignancies. The disease was first described as a form or recurrent meningitis in 1944 by pierre mollaret. Smoking, secondhand smoke and crowded living conditions also increase the risk for some kinds of.
The clinical features, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of bacterial meningitis in adults and children and issues related to chronic and recurrent meningitis are discussed separately. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and can be deadly. Meningitis and lumbar puncture free download as powerpoint presentation. Additionally, people with weak immune systems are more at risk for meningitis. Meningitis is most commonly caused by bacteria and viruses. Bacterial meningitis needs rapid admission to hospital and urgent treatment with antibiotics. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.
Bacterial meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. The pathogens take advantage of the specific features of the immune system in the cns, replicate and induce inflammation. There are five types of meningitis with different symptoms, causes, and. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels. The severity and treatment of the disease differs depending on the. The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Haemophilus influenzae type d was isolated from both cerebrospinal fluid and blood of this patient with meningitis. While the viral illness may be contagious, the meningitis is not. May 30, 2018 meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain.
Haemophilus influenzae type b hib vaccine is recommended as part of the national immunisation program and is available free for all children at 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months and 12 months of age and is administered in a combination vaccine. They are spread from an infected person to another by. Meningococcal meningitis mm is the most common presentation of meningococcal disease and an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection and inflammation of the membranes covering your spinal cord and brain. Meningitis definition of meningitis by the free dictionary. A group of viruses called enteroviruses is the most common cause of viral meningitis.
Meningitis is a severe infection of the meninges the thin lining which covers the brain and spinal cord. This axial nonenhanced computed tomography scan shows mild ventriculomegaly and sulcal effacement. These viruses are found in the throat and feces stool of infected people. The book of experience presents a unique picture of the way that meningitis and septicaemia have affected individuals, families and whole communities. Viral meningitis, also called aseptic meningitis, is much more common than bacterial meningitis. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. Meningitis all types health conditions directory queensland health. Hence, clinical syndromic surveillance must be complemented by. Meningitis is transmitted to people by many methods. A prospective study of etiology of childhood acute. Full text get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 289k, or click on a page image below to browse page by page. Who practical guidelines, control of epidemic meningococcal disease. Pdf pathophysiology of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.
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