BACTERIAL MENINGITIS
What is
meningitis?
Meningitis is an
inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord---also called the
meninges. It can be caused by viruses,
parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral
(aseptic) meningitis is common; most people recover fully. Medical management of viral meningitis
consists of supportive treatment and there is usually no indication for the use
of antibiotics. Parasitic and fungal
meningitis are very rare. Bacterial
meningitis is very serious and may involve complicated medical, surgical,
pharmaceutical, and life support management.
There are two common types of bacteria that cause
meningitis:
·
Strep pneumoniae causes pneumococcal
meningitis; there are over 80 subtypes that cause illness
What are the
symptoms?
Someone with
meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days,
but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the
same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis
may have:
·
Severe headache
·
High temperature
·
Vomiting
·
Sensitivity to bright lights
·
Neck stiffness, joint pains
*In both
children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises
caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. They
are a sign of blood poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with
meningitis, particularly the meningococcal strain.
How serious is
bacterial meningitis?
If it is diagnosed
early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete
recovery. In some cases it can be fatal
or a person may be left with a permanent disability, such as deafness,
blindness, amputations or brain damage (resulting in mental retardation or
paralysis) even with prompt treatment.
How is bacterial
meningitis spread?
Fortunately, none
of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the
common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply
breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our
noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva
(such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or
cigarettes).
The germ does
not cause meningitis in most people.
Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks
or even months. Being a carrier helps
to stimulate your body's natural defense system.
The bacteria rarely
overcomes the body's immune system and causes meningitis or another serious
illness.
What is the risk
of getting bacterial meningitis?
The risk of getting
bacterial meningitis in all age groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000
population per year. However, the
highest risk group for the most serious form of the disease, meningococcal
meningitis, is highest among children 2 to 18 years old.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is
usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from
spinal fluid and blood. Spinal fluid is
obtained by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.
Vaccines against
pneumococcal disease are recommended both for young children and adults over
64. A vaccine against four
meningococcal serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) is available. These four groups cause the majority of
meningococcal cases in the United States.
This vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students,
particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective
(85-90%). It can cause mild side
effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two
days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10
days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5 years.
What you should
do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?
Seek prompt medical
attention.
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your
local or regional health department office are excellent sources for
information on all communicable diseases.
You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas
Department of Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at
the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of Health: www.tdh.state.tx.us.
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