Meningitis is a medical condition that induces swelling to the brain-spine nerve highway with optional inflammation. If not treated, Meningitis can cause nerve cell extinction and hemorrhage. A small condition in the beginning but can be fatal when left untreated.
Bacterial and Fungal Meningitis
These two types of Meningitis are the major cause of this disease. Bacterial and viral infections are mostly defeated by our white blood cells introduced in our body by our immune system. Viral infections, which are a bit tricky seem to be dead but instead, are inactive and can stay that way for long periods of time. Once such infections reach the cerebral fluid, it’s out of range for white blood cells. The infections are then free to spread, moving to vulnerable areas such as the spinal set and the brain. The consequence is inflammation and subsequent death of numerous nerve cells at a rate that cannot be replenished by our system.
The cerebral fluid is called CSF. The fluid is secreted by the choroid plexus. The fluid is an essential to the brain. Besides providing physical protection, it also works as a nutrient carrier and a cleanser.
Other sources of Meningitis infection are:
Fungi and fungal infections
Negative ‘bounce-back’ reaction from drugs or medications.
A range of inflammatory conditions. Something as neutral as SLE.
Cancer variants
Physical injury impacting the spine or brain.
Symptoms of Meningitis:
Nausea and Vomiting
Headaches
High fever
Sleep disorder
Stiff neck
Meningitis in Babies:
Infants and newborns are also susceptible to the disease. Externally they may appear to be lazy or slow because symptoms like headaches and a stiff neck might be hard to diagnose ( may be absent in some cases). Appetite of the infant may also suffer. Response to external stimulus can be classified as irritable. Vomiting can also be seen. As the infection grows inside the patient’s body, seizures may occur irrespective of age.
Meningitis, being a fatal disease should not be overlooked. Any person that shows any of the above listed symptoms should immediately see a doctor for treatment.
Bacterial Meningitis:
Has a very high death rate. It is indeed a medically fatal emergency. When treating bacterial meningitis, the most important is to diagnose which bacteria are causing the infection. According to the bacterial type, the antibiotics are prescribed which have proven to be successful against the specific bacteria
Cause of Bacterial Meningitis:
Homophiles Influenza type B : Pre-1990s it was the leading bacterial infection that caused Bacterial Meningitis. As a precaution, all new-borns began to be immunized with new vaccines that could tackle the bacterium. Those efforts have greatly reduced Bacterial Meningitis occurrences due to Hib
Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumonia: Most meningitis cases today are related two these two bacteria.
Viral Meningitis:
Viral Meningitis or the aseptic type is the most common of the both. It is not fatal for person with an average immune system. It passes away after a period of time, usually 7 to a maximum of 10 days. The patient can expect to recover completely after the spell.
