Meningitis (brain inflammation) is an infection of the membranes encompassing the brain and spinal cord. It is a rare infection that occurs when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected, and you or your children can catch it.

Types of Meningitis

There are several types, including bacterial, viral, and fungal. The bacterial type appears to be the worst and can be life-threatening. It spreads between people when they come in close contact with each other.

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis appears to be less severe, and most people recover completely, even without Treatment. Meningitis in the United States is mostly Viral Meningitis.

Fungal meningitis is a rare form of the disease, and usually only happens in people who have a weakened immune system.

The brain inflammation typically triggers symptoms such as a headache, fever and a rigid neck.

Some cases of brain inflammation improve without treatment, while others can be life-threatening and require emergency antibiotic treatment.

Meningitis Causes

Meningitis usually begins somewhere else in the body besides the brain. It can begin in your ears, sinuses, or throat. It is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Less common causes include:

• Syphilis
• Fungal infection
• Tuberculosis
• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer medications

Meningitis Symptoms

Early symptoms may imitate the flu (influenza), and these symptoms may develop over several hours or over a few days.

Possible signs and symptoms include:

• Stiff neck
• Sudden high fever
• Sensitivity to light
• No appetite or thirst
• A severe headache that seems different than normal
• A headache with nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Seizures
• Meningitis rash (sometimes, such as in meningococcal meningitis)
• Sleepiness or difficulty waking

Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare bacterial infection. It is a serious type that causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.

The bacteria called Neisseria meningitides cause meningococcal disease. About one-tenth people have these bacteria in their nose and throat.

Meningococcal meningitis can be fatal without prompt treatment; as many as one-fifth of people who contract the infection have serious complications. Also, information according to the Centers for Disease Control, suggests that about 15% of those who survive are left with disabilities that include deafness, brain damage, and neurological problems.

Click here to know more about the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and ways to prevent and treat it.

Meningitis in Babies

Newborns and Infants may be difficult to comfort, and may even cry harder when held. They may show the following signs:

• Stiffness in a baby’s body and neck
• High fever
• Constant crying
• Excessive sleepiness or irritability
• Inactivity or sluggishness
• Poor feeding
• A lump in the soft point on top of a baby’s head

Vulnerable Group

Let it be known that anyone can get this brain inflammation, but studies show it’s more prevalent in:

• Children under 5
• Teenagers and young adults ages 16-25
• Adults over 55

Also, this brain inflammation is more of a danger for people with certain medical conditions, such as a damaged or missing spleen, and immune system disorders.

Certain germs that cause this disease can spread easily, thus, outbreaks are most likely to happen in places where people live close to each other. College students in dormitories or military recruits in barracks can be more likely to catch the disease, and so are people who travel to areas where the disease is more common, such as parts of Africa.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

• Skipping vaccinations: Risk increases for anyone who hasn’t completed the recommended childhood or adult vaccination program.
• Age: Studies have shown that most cases of viral meningitis occur in children younger than age 5, while the bacterial type is common in those under the age of 20.
• Living in a community setting, like college students living in dormitories, personnel on military bases, and children in boarding schools. These people are at greater risk of meningococcal type, probably because the bacterium is spread by the respiratory route, and spreads quickly through large groups.
• Pregnancy increases the risk of an infection (Listeriosis), which may also cause meningitis. Listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and untimely delivery.
• A compromised immune system as a result of AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes, the use of immunosuppressant drugs, and other factors also make you more susceptible.
• Having your spleen removed also increases your risk.

Complications

Complications can be severe. The longer you have the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage. Other damages include:

• Memory difficulty
• Hearing loss
• Learning disabilities
• Brain damage
• Gait problems
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Shock, and death

With prompt treatment, even patients with severe forms can have a good chance at recovery.

Who Should Be Vaccinated?

These groups are considered at risk and should get a vaccine:

• College freshmen who live in dormitories and haven’t been vaccinated
• adolescents who are 11 to 12 years old
• people migrating or visiting countries where the disease is common
• children ages 2 or older who don’t have a spleen, and
• those who have a compromised immune system

Meningitis Vaccine

There is a vaccine for several types of bacterial meningitis. While viral meningitis is more common, bacteria type can be more dangerous if it’s not diagnosed and treated swiftly.

There are two primary vaccines for meningitis, and they are for bacterial causes. The first vaccine, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, features a vaccine that targets four of the most common types of bacterial serotypes, lasts longer and offers greater protection, especially if you maintain booster shots.

The second vaccine, MenB, targets one specific strain. Its protection window is much shorter, and only certain populations are recommended to get this vaccine.

Side effects of a meningitis vaccine may include:

• soreness,
• Redness and burning at the injection site.
• Low-grade fever for a day or two following the injection.
• Chills, headache, joint pain, and fatigue are also likely.

Meningitis Treatment

Treatment is determined by the cause of your meningitis, and bacterial meningitis requires immediate hospitalization. Remember that early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death.

Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics, and there’s no specific antibiotic. It all depends on the bacteria involved.

Fungal meningitis is treated with antifungal means. It may either involve treating just the symptoms or attempting to treat the infection directly and depending on the cause, this type may get better without antibiotic treatment.

Most viral meningitis may resolve on its own, but some causes of viral meningitis need to be treated with intravenous antiviral medications.

Menactra

Menactra is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive meningococcal disease. As already stated, this disease is caused by Neisseria Meningitidis. Menactra is approved for use by the FDA in individuals from 9 months of age through 55 years of age

Is Meningitis Contagious?

Several types of meningitis (Fungal, parasitic and non-infectious types) are not contagious, but the viral type is contagious.

It’s spread through direct contact with body fluids, including mucus, feces, and saliva, and droplets of infected fluid can be spread and shared with sneezing and coughing.

You do not necessarily have to come into direct contact with an infected person to pick up this infection.

The bacterial type is the most serious form and can be contagious, especially if it’s meningococcal meningitis. It is spread through extended contact with an infected person.

Prevention of Meningitis

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially if you’re at increased risk, is very important. Preventive methods include

• getting adequate amounts of rest
• avoiding contact with sick people
• quitting smoking or not smoking

Take preventive antibiotics if you’ve been in close contact with one or more people who have a bacterial meningococcal infection, as this will decrease your chances of developing the disease.

Avoid sharing drinks, utensils, and personal items that may carry saliva or other body fluids. Take these steps to prevent getting this brain inflammation condition.

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