Have you ever given any thought to the silent danger that meningitis disease poses? Imagine the brain and spinal cord under siege, the body’s defence mechanism turning against its own. What are the warning signs? What causes it? This blog provides insightful information on identifying, treating, and understanding meningitis meaning, symptoms, causes, and various types.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is a rare but dangerous infection of the meninges (membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord). A virus or bacteria typically bring on Meningitis, although a fungus occasionally causes it. Children are typically affected with viral meningitis, a less serious type of meningitis. Meningitis caused by bacteria is a medical emergency. Early detection and intervention are essential. Frequently, viral and bacterial meningitis symptoms cannot be distinguished from one another.
What are the Symptoms of Meningitis?
The symptoms of meningitis disease in young children and babies can include:
- Fever or low temperature
- Irritability
- Being drowsy or difficult to wake
- Poor feeding
- Feeling stiff or floppy
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Purple-red skin rash or bruising
- Pale or blotchy skin
- Seizures
Additionally, babies may have an odd or high-pitched cry or a bulge in the fontanelle, the soft region on top of the skull.
Signs of meningitis in older children and adults can include:
- Light sensitivity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Discomfort in the muscles and joints
- Seizures
Some meningitis symptoms in patients include bruising or a purple-red skin rash. The red or purple spots do not turn white when you press on them with a finger.
What Causes Meningitis?
The most common way viruses or bacteria that might cause meningitis to move between people is through close contact. This can happen via exchanging intimate things, kissing, sneezing, or coughing. Pneumococcal and meningococcal bacteria typically cause bacterial meningitis. These are the most common meningitis causes.
Types of Meningitis
Here are some of the most common types of meningitis:
- Viral Meningitis: Usually brought on by viruses like herpes and West Nile and enteroviruses like coxsackievirus and echovirus. Although it normally goes away on its own after taking rest and consuming lots of fluids, medical intervention might be necessary depending on what caused it.
- Bacterial Meningitis: Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus frequently cause this. It needs to be treated right away since, if left untreated, it can be fatal.
- Fungal Meningitis: This type is a result of the growth of fungi such as Blastomyces, Histoplasma, Cryptococcus, and Coccidioides. It is uncommon and more likely to afflict people with weakened immune systems.
- Parasitic Meningitis: Less common, it is caused by parasites in dirt, faeces, or contaminated food. Gnathostoma spinigerum, Baylisascaris procyonis, and Angiostrongylus cantonensis are a few examples.
- Non-infectious Meningitis: This type of meningitis is not brought on by infections but rather by illnesses or treatments such as cancer, lupus, or head trauma.
- Chronic Meningitis: This one can be caused by several things, including fungus, rheumatological disorders, or cancer. It lasts more than four weeks.
When to See the Doctor?
If you or a kid shows symptoms of a meningococcal infection, immediately visit the emergency room or call for an ambulance.
How is Meningitis Diagnosed?
Along with a physical examination, your doctor will inquire about your symptoms.
The following tests can aid in the diagnosis:
- Blood tests
- A lumbar puncture, in which a sample of the fluid around your brain and spine is taken by inserting a needle into the base of your spine.
- An MRI or CT scan of the brain
How is Meningitis Treated?
People with meningitis are usually admitted to the hospital. Treatment will depend on the type of infection that has caused the meningitis.
- Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis has no known cure. However, patients typically recover with ample rest and fluids. Medication for pain, like paracetamol, can reduce fever and headaches.
- Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis treatment must begin immediately because it is a medical emergency. Antibiotics will be used to treat the infection.
- Parasitic Meningitis
This may involve treating just the symptoms or attempting to treat the infection directly. Depending on the underlying cause, this kind may recover without needing antibiotics. However, your doctor might attempt to treat the infection if it worsens.
- Chronic Meningitis
The first step in treating this is to address the underlying cause, which could be a fungal infection or an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Fungal Meningitis
Meningitis that’s caused by a fungus is treated with antifungal medicines.
Can Meningitis be Prevented?
Antibiotics may be prescribed to you if you have had close contact with someone who has meningococcal disease in order to lower your chance of infection. By practising excellent hygiene, you can reduce your overall risk of contracting infections:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid sharing cutlery, glasses, or drink bottles.
- Sneeze into your elbow.
- After using tissues, immediately place them in the trash and wash your hands.
Maintaining children’s immunisation records is crucial in preventing potentially dangerous diseases like meningitis. Additionally, optional vaccinations are available to protect against specific meningococcal disease types. Your best defence against meningococcal illness is vaccination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a severe health risk is associated with meningitis, so it is important to understand its types, causes, and symptoms. Timely identification and intervention are essential to minimise meningitis disease’s potentially fatal consequences and protect the health of those afflicted with this severe infectious and inflammatory illness.
