Meningitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Ways to Prevent it

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective coverings around your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be brought on by viruses, bacteria, fungus, parasites, and non-infectious diseases. Meningitis is a severe medical condition that needs urgent treatment. Meningitis can affect people of any age. Viral and bacterial meningitis can present with similar symptoms. There are effective vaccines available for some of the bacterial reasons of meningitis and they are well treated. However, meningitis continues to pose a serious risk everywhere in the world. Let’s understand meningitis in detail.

 

What Causes Meningitis?

 

• Bacterial meningitis: It is caused by many bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  
  
• Viral meningitis: It is the most common type of meningitis and less serious than bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis can be caused by many viruses, including enteroviruses, the mumps virus, and the herpes simplex virus. 
  
  

Other causes of meningitis include:

• Fungi
• Parasites
• Non-infectious conditions such as cancer, head injury, brain surgery
• Drug-induced reactions: NSAIDs and antibiotics

Viral and bacterial meningitis are contagious. They can be spread by sneezing, or close contact and coughing. On the other hand, fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious meningitis are not contagious. 

Symptoms of Meningitis

The symptoms of meningitis in children and adults include:

• Sudden high fever with chills
• Severe headache
• Stiffness in the neck
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Confused or altered state of mind
• Joints pain
• Excessive drowsiness, lethargy, or difficulty waking up
• Lack of appetite or thirst
• Tiny, circular lesions that resemble rashes

 

Later signs are:

• Convulsions or fits
• Confusion
• Wobble or stumble while walking
• Hallucinations
• Unconsciousness and inability to wake up when touched

 

 

Complications of Meningitis

Meningitis complications may occur if the illness is not managed. The following complications are more likely to arise the longer the condition is left untreated:

 

• Hearing loss
• Migraine headaches
• Low blood pressure
• Renal failure
• Memory issues
• Learning disabilities in children
• Seizures
• Brain damage
• Death

 

Prevention and Treatment of Meningitis

The best protection against prevalent forms of bacterial meningitis is provided by vaccinations.

Vaccines can stop meningitis brought on by bacteria such as:

• Meningococcus
• Pneumococcus
• Hemophilus influenzae type b
  
  

There are no vaccines available for viral meningitis. In most cases, it is not fatal and goes away on its own.

In order to prevent meningitis, follow these simple steps:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating, to prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Avoid contact with sick people. Stay away from sharing cups, cutlery, or toothbrushes.
• In order to reduce the spread of germs, make sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t eat undercooked or uncooked meat and seafood. Don’t drink unpasteurized milk. 
• Stay updated on all necessary vaccinations.
• Stay fit and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

Treatment of Meningitis

 

Medications and therapy include:

• Treatment for meningitis is based on the cause. Bacterial meningitis is managed using antibiotics, while antifungal medications are used for fungal infections. Some viral forms of meningitis can be addressed with antivirals. The underlying disease or injury must be addressed in order to treat meningitis from non-infectious sources
• Corticosteroids to lessen inflammation
• Painkillers
• IV liquids to maintain hydration

 

Meningitis can happen when fluid surrounding these membranes becomes infected. Meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis, can be fatal within days, if treatment is not quickly initiated. There is also an increased risk of irreversible brain damage due to postponed therapy.
It's also critical that you discuss any exposure to meningitis with your healthcare physician. A family member, a coworker, or someone you live with could be among them. It could be necessary for you to take medication to avoid being infected. A medical professional can determine whether you have meningitis, identify its cause, and recommend the appropriate treatment. If people near you have symptoms of meningitis, it’s pivotal to seek medical attention immediately and take them to the closest hospital emergency department.

 

If you have any questions related to meningitis or its complications, you can check with our pediatrician or physician at Ask a doctor, 24x7.