Key Facts:

v  Meningitis is a rare infection in which acute inflammation of protective membranes covering brain and spinal cord occur. They collectively known as meninges.

v  First the fluid surrounding the meninges get infected and then meningitis occurs.

v  There are different causes of meningitis and treatment as well depend on the cause.

CAUSE/TYPES:

Bacterial Meningitis: Bacterial Meningitis is serious and deadly among other types. This infection cause swelling on tissue around the brain, thus it interferes with blood flow and results in paralysis or stroke.

Children between 1 month and 2 years are more susceptible to this infection.

Symptoms:  

·         Altered mental status

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Headache

·         Fever

·         Chills

·         Stiff neck

·         Sleepiness

Viral Meningitis: Viral meningitis is less dangerous than bacterial meningitis and many people get better on their own without any treatment. A variety of viruses can cause viral meningitis that include viruses cause ggastroenteritis, measles, mumps, chicken pox and herpes.

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Severe headache
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Sensitivity to light
• Stiff neck

Fungal Meningitis: Fungal meningitis is rare and it is not transmitted from person to person. People with weaken immunity are at risk.  In this infection protective lining around brain and spinal cord becomes swell.

Symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Fever
• Headache
• Confusion or disorientation

Parasitic Meningitis: Parasitic Meningitis is very rare but can be lethal. This infection occurs when parasite enters the respiratory system, parasites like free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, a single-cell parasite.

Symptoms:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
• Altered mental status (confusion)

Non-infectious Meningitis: Non-infectious Meningitis is not caused by any pathogen, instead it is caused by other medical condition or treatments like cancer, lupus, head injury, brain surgery etc.

Symptoms:

• Headache
• Fever
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion or changes in personality
• Light sensitivity
• Altered mental state.

PREVENTION:

v  Wash your hands

v  Maintain distance from infected person

v  Practice good hygiene

v  Stay healthy

v  Wear mask

 

References:

https://www.webmd.com/children/understanding-meningitis-basics?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_vH4cmL.rQ7IsuX4Z6DkPRfaK9L8rPpl3NvfRGYk3VM8-1629975217-0-gqNtZGzNAuWjcnBszQuR

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11039-bacterial-meningitis?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_Grcm8TCsWVuFHLaT0F7HdQUxzJmoCuWyOWc8vhGCFBA-1629976211-0-gqNtZGzNAuWjcnBszQhR

https://www.medicinenet.com/fungal_meningitis/article.htm#transmission