Meningitis develops when the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord are inflamed due to the spread of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. If left untreated, the disease can become life threatening.

The most serious form of meningitis is caused by bacteria that passes through the bloodstream and lodges itself in the brain and spinal cord. This in turn causes swelling of the meninges (the membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord) and results in meningitis. A skull fracture or sinus infection can allow the bacteria to enter the meninges.

The strains of bacteria that cause meningitis can be found in dust, soil, contaminated foods, and many other places. These strains include Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophillus influenza, Neisseria meningitides, and Listeria monocytogenes.

A milder form of meningitis occurs as the result of a virus that usually goes away in about two weeks’ time. In the United States, 30 percent of viral meningitis cases are caused by a viral group known as enteroviruses, which are found in saliva, sputum, and feces. Other viruses that can cause viral meningitis include mosquito-borne strains like La Crosse and West Nile virus, as well as the sexually transmitted herpes simplex virus.

A less common type of the disease is called fungal meningitis, which is precipitated by airborne yeast cells that are commonly found in soil. It occurs in AIDS patients and others who have weak immune systems. Fungal meningitis requires immediate treatment with anti-fungal medications in order to avoid placing the patient’s life at risk.

Risk Factors

The risk of contracting meningitis increases among people who live or work in crowded conditions, simply because they are more vulnerable to the transmission of the disease. These may include:

• Children living in hostels

 

• Personnel living on military bases

 

• Students living in dormitories

This elevated risk also applies to people who work in conditions that facilitate the transmission of bacteria, such as alongside domesticated animals.

Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of catching meningitis because their immune systems are not as strong as when they are not pregnant. Unvaccinated children under the age of 5 are more prone to contracting meningitis because their immune systems have yet to fully develop. And patients who have immunity-related diseases like AIDS, take immunosuppressant medications, or have had their spleen (a major part of the body’s immune system) removed also face a greater risk of becoming afflicted with the disease.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of meningitis can appear anytime from within a few hours to one or two days. Sufferers often experience high fever, a severe headache, a stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting. The patient will be uninterested in normal activities like drinking and eating, unable to concentrate, and possibly in a state of confusion. Other symptoms may include skin rashes, seizures, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, and difficulty waking up.

Newborn babies with meningitis will exhibit irritability, a high fever, excessive sleep, continuous crying, seizures, inactivity, and a loss of appetite. Parents may also notice a bulge on the baby’s fontanelles (the soft spot on top of the head), jaundice (yellowish color of the skin and eyes), or stiffness in the baby’s neck and body.

Complications

If not treated promptly, meningitis can lead to severe complications, including:

• Loss of sight, memory, speech, or hearing

 

• Behavioral problems or learning disabilities

 

• Failure of the kidneys or adrenal glands

 

• Shock

 

• Paralysis

 

• Brain damage

 

• Death

Diagnosis

If meningitis is suspected, a doctor may take a blood culture in which blood is drawn from a vein. The culture is then sent to a lab to check for the presence of disease-causing bacteria in the blood. Imaging tests like X-rays and computerized tomography scans may be conducted on the sinuses, head, and neck to check for any swelling.

A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is an effective way of diagnosing meningitis. With this procedure, cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the spine through a needle and then analyzed in the lab. If the cerebrospinal fluid reveals increased white blood cells, decreased blood sugar levels, and elevated protein content, then the sample is positive for meningitis.

If the doctor suspects that a patient is suffering from viral meningitis, he or she may order a DNA-based test known as polymerase chain reaction amplification. This test can identify the precise strain of bacteria in less than four hours (as compared to several days for many other tests), thus enabling the physician to choose the proper medication to combat it.

Treatment

Initial treatments for bacterial meningitis include intravenous antibiotics that are designed specifically to fight the disease-causing bacteria, as well as cortisone medications to help facilitate recovery. The doctor may prescribe other treatment regimens like anticonvulsant drugs or intravenous fluids in order to combat complications like convulsions and dehydration, respectively. If infected fluid accumulation is detected between the membranes surrounding the brain and skull, the fluid will need to be surgically drained.

Though antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial meningitis, they cannot cure viral meningitis. In these cases, the disease usually runs its course and disappears within a week or two. During this time, the patient is told to rest and drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Over-the-counter medications may help relieve the fever and body pain associated with viral meningitis.

For fungal meningitis, intravenous antifungal medications are administered; while cortisone drugs are usually prescribed to treat meningitis caused by immunity deficient diseases and allergies. The length of these treatments largely depends on the strength of the patient’s immune system. As a result, they may need to be continued for a longer period of time than the typical one to two weeks needed for recovery from other types of meningitis.

Prevention

Meningitis is contagious and spreads through sneezing, coughing, kissing, and other close contact, as well as by sharing the same items with an affected person (such as eating utensils, a toothbrush, or a cigarette). That is why it is important to wash hands thoroughly with an antiseptic soap after using the bathroom and before eating. People can boost their immune systems by exercising regularly and choosing healthy foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Pregnant women must take special care to guard against bacterial infections by eating only well-cooked meat and avoiding dairy products made from unpasteurized milk.

Immunizations are vital in protecting children from meningitis. The vaccinations available include Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (given starting at 2 months of age), Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (for children between 2 and 5 years old), and Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (for youths between 11 and 18 years old). These vaccines are routinely administered as part of scheduled medical care for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends the Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for older children and adults and for people with compromised immune systems.

Additional Information

To get more information about meningitis, contact the Meningitis Foundation of America at 480-270-2652, the National Meningitis Association at 866-FONE-NMA, or the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at 301-496-5717.