meningitis
INFLAMMATION of the MENINGES (membranes) of the BRAIN (cerebral meningitis) or SPINAL CORD (spinal meningitis), or the disease may affect both regions. Meningitis may affect the dura mater membrane, in which case it is known as pachymeningitis, although this is relatively uncommon. It often results as a secondary infection because of the presence of disease elsewhere, as in the case of tuberculous meningitis and syphilitic meningitis. Meningitis that affects the other two membranes (the pia-arachnoid membranes) is known as leptomeningitis and is more common, and it may be either a primary or secondary infection. Meningitis is also classified according to its causal organism and may be either viral or bacterial. Viral meningitis is fairly mild and, as it does not respond to drugs, treatment is by means of bed rest until recovery takes place. Bacterial meningitis is much more common and is caused by the organisms responsible for TUBERCULOSIS , PNEUMONIA and SYPHILIS . Also, the meningococcus type of BACTERIA causes one of the commonest forms of the disease, meningococcal meningitis. The symptoms are a severe headache, sensitivity to light and sound. muscle rigidity especially affecting the neck, KERNIG'S SIGN , VOMITING , PARALYSIS , COMA and death. These are caused by inflammation of the meninges and by a rise in INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE . One of the features of meningitis is that there is a change in the constituents and appearance of the CEREBROSPINAL FLUID , and the infective organism can usually be isolated from it and identified. The onset of the symptoms can be very rapid and death can also follow swiftly. Treatment is by means of ANTIBIOTIC drugs and SULPHONAMIDES .
Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing loss, and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis.
Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people with weak immune systems. Meningitis can get serious very quickly. You should get medical care right away if you have:
- A sudden high fever
- A severe headache
- A stiff neck
- Nausea or vomiting
Early treatment can help prevent serious problems, including death. Tests to diagnose meningitis include blood tests, imaging tests, and a spinal tap to test cerebrospinal fluid. Antibiotics can treat bacterial meningitis. Antiviral medicines may help some types of viral meningitis. Other medicines can help treat symptoms.
There are vaccines to prevent some of the bacterial infections that cause meningitis.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
meningitis