MENINGITIS
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is swelling and inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can also be caused by cancer, certain drugs and injuries. Treatment varies for meningitis depending on the cause, so it is important to know the cause.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a serious health condition. While most people recover from bacterial meningitis, it can cause death, brain damage, hearing loss and other permanent disabilities.
Exposure
Most meningitis is spread from person to person. Some of the most common bacterias include
Group B Streptococcus and E. coli can be passed from mother to baby during birth.
H. influenzae, M. tuberculosis, and S. pneumoniae is passed by breathing in bacteria spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact.
N. meningitidis is spread through saliva or spit, usually by close contact like kissing, coughing, or lengthy close contact.
E. coli is spread through food made by people who didn’t wash their hands well after using the toilet.
People can also have these bacteria in or on their bodies without being sick.
Symptoms
Symptoms include sudden onset of
Stiff neck
Headache
Fever
Additional symptoms include
Nausea
Vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Confusion
Newborns and babies may be irritable, slow to react, have a bulging soft spot and/or feed poorly.
Symptoms usually develop within 3 to 7 days of exposure. If you think you have meningitis, you should see a doctor immediately.
Prevention
The most effective protection from meningitis is vaccination. There are vaccines for 4 types of bacteria that cause meningitis.
These vaccines do not protect from all strains of bacteria that cause meningitis.
However, vaccination significantly lowers the risk of contracting meningitis. It is important to keep yourself and your children up to date on vaccination.
Babies, older adults, and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of meningitis. It's important to take extra steps to stay healthy including
Avoiding cigarette smoke as much as possible.
Avoiding close contact with sick people
Washing your hands on a regular basis
Get plenty of rest
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is caused by a virus and is the most common type of meningitis. While most people get better on their own without treatment, if you think you have meningitis you should see a doctor.
Exposure
The most common cause of viral meningitis in the U.S. is non-polio enteroviruses.
Additional viruses that may cause viral meningitis include
Mumps
Measles
Influenza
Arboviruses, like West Nile
Herpesvirus
Most people who are infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will not develop viral meningitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms include
Headache
Nausea and lack of appetite
Stiff neck
Fever
Sensitivity to light
Vomiting
Irritability
Trouble sleeping and lethargy
Most people will get better on their own within 7-10 days.
Viral meningitis symptoms can be similar to bacterial meningitis, which is very serious. It is important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms.
Prevention
There are no vaccinations for viral meningitis.
Adopting healthy habits can help you and your family from meningitis. This is especially important for babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect high touch areas, including counters, often.
Stay home when you are sick.
Do not send sick children to school.
Additional Types of Meningitis
There are additional types of meningitis that are less common. However, it is important to be aware of them and how they spread.
Fungal Meningitis
People can get fungal infections when they inhale fungal spores into their lungs.
Fungal meningitis happens when the fungal infection spreads to the brain and/or spinal cord.
Fungal meningitis cannot be spread from person to person.
People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for fungal meningitis.
Symptoms are similar to those of bacterial and viral meningitis.
Parasitic Meningitis
A rare form of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, or EM can be caused by some parasites.
People are infected with these parasites by eating infected animals or contaminated foods or accidentally ingesting raccoon feces.
Symptoms are similar to those of bacterial and viral meningitis. However, parasitic meningitis can have additional, more serious symptoms including coma, paralysis, permanent disability and death.
Amebic Meningitis
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living ameba* that causes rare brain infection called Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Naegleria fowleri is generally found in warm, fresh waters and some soils. People are typically exposed when swimming in fresh waters and water enters through their nose.
The ameba then travels to the brain causing damage and swelling.
Due to the rarity of PAM, it is difficult to diagnose. It is almost always fatal.
Pregnancy
There are certain increased risks during pregnancy.
Increased risk of a Listeria infection: Some foods may be contaminated with listeria and cause infection. You may not have any symptoms, or you may have fever, fatigue or muscle aches. However, infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, premature delivery, or infection of the baby, including meningitis.
Passing group B Streptococcus (group B strep): Pregnant women can pass this to their baby during delivery, which can then cause meningitis or other serious infections in newborns. It is recommended to be tested for group B when you are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant. If you test positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent passing it to the baby.