Causes of meningitis meningitis is due to infection with either viruses or bacteria. Unlike other types of meningitis, chronic meningitis develops over several weeks, though the signs and symptoms will be the same as cases of acute meningitis headaches, fever, vomiting, and mental cloudiness. The type of meningitis and its cause can only be determined by conducting laboratory tests. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. Hib meningitis caused by haemophilus influenzae type b hib bacteria. Small percentage of people who are infected with enterovirus infections will develop meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord that can be caused by several different types of, as well as viruses and fungibacteria.
Jun 14, 2016 meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Unequivocal descriptions of meningitis date to the seventeenth century, 1 and tuberculous meningitis and syphilitic meningitis have been known as discreet entities for nearly as long. Bamberger, md, university of missourikansas city school of medicine, kansas city, missouri a cute meningitis is a medical emer. Understand the indications for neuroimaging, adjunctive corticosteroids, and repeat lumbar puncture in children with bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is an acute form of bacterial meningitis caused by neisseria meningitidis. Antifungal medications treat fungal meningitis, and a combination of specific antibiotics can treat tuberculous meningitis. The pathogens take advantage of the specific features of the immune system in the cns, replicate and induce inflammation. Viral meningitis is a virusborne inflammation of the meninges, which are the.
Additionally, ventilator assistance, kidney dialysis or other supportive treatments may be needed. When hes there, hell get fluids through an iv to prevent dehydration, as well. The following types of fungus can cause meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death. The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in children is changing. Understanding the 5 types of meningitis meningitis center.
It can be treated with appropriate antibiotics that also prevents spread. Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, called hib, can also cause meningitis. The most common types of bacterial meningitis are meningococcal, pneumococcal, tb, group b streptococcal and li. They are spread from an infected person to another by. Although the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis is not completely understood, knowledge of bacterial invasion and entry into the cns is improving. In rare cases, the fungus can cause a dangerous form of meningitis, primarily in premature babies with a very low birth weight or in persons with disorders of the immune system. Young children often exhibit only nonspecific symptoms, such as. Meningitis has long been known as a clinical disorder.
Meningitis is an inflammation swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Chronic meningitis occurs when slowgrowing organisms, such as fungi, invade the membranes and fluids surrounding your brain. Viral meningitis is usually much less severe than other types. Much rarer causes include fungi or malignant cancer cells. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. The key to the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is the proof of bacteria in the csf by gramstaining figure 2 or a positive bacterial culture. Meningitis can occur in adults and children, even in infants, and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Clinical features alone cannot determine whether meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, in particular the arachnoid and the pia mater, associated with the invasion of bacteria into the subarachnoid space, principles known for more than 100 years flexner, 1907. Meningitis occurs in people of all ages, but it is more common in children and people over 65. Tuberculous meningitis tbm is the most common form of central nervous system tuberculosis tb and has very high morbidity and mortality.
Most children with viral meningitis recover completely. The bacteria are found in the mouth, throat, or nose. Rarer types of meningitis include chemical and fungal meningitis. This is normally caused by infection but can also have non. Types of bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis include haemophilus influenzae usually type b, streptococcus pneumoniae, and neisseria. Bacterial meningitis is inflammation of the lining that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a rare infection that affects the delicate membranes called meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord. Burden of meningitis and other severe bacterial infections. Viral aseptic meningitis is a serious, but not usually fatal with people with healthy immune systems. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and can be deadly. Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is typically found in the respiratory tract, sinuses, and nasal cavity and can cause whats called. Types of bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis include haemophilus influenzae usually type b, streptococcus pneumoniae, and neisseria meningitidis. How your immune system responds to the germ who needs to be vaccinated against the germ the best technology or approach to create the vaccine based on a number of these.
Can people with meningitis pass the illness to others. View as pdf send by post meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities can result from the infection. Meningitis is an infection of the tissue called the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Figure 2 depicts the cumulative percentage of hib meningitis cases as a function of age in 4 countries in the meningitis belt, 50, 67, 74 and 5 elsewhere 14, 19, 23, 57, 69. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Bacterial meningitis can be fatal or cause severe impairment, particularly if the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is delayed, but can be treated, especially when diagnosed early in.
Meningitis infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord is a serious illness. The attention given to epidemics of meningococcal meningitis in the subsaharan meningitis belt 1, 2 tends to distort the overall picture of serious bacterial diseases in children during nonepidemic periods in africa. Some of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis include neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus. This was the most common type of meningitis in australia until a national vaccination program started in 1992. Epsteinbarr mono, herpes simplex virus, chickenpox, shingles, measles, and influenza. Over the past several decades, the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children has decreased but there remains a significant burden of disease in adults, with a mortality of up to 30%. Each type is designed to teach your immune system how to fight off certain kinds of germs and the serious diseases they cause. Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Your teen may need only a few days in the hospital. Acute bacterial meningitis in adults fiona mcgill, robert s heyderman, stavros panagiotou, allan r tunkel, tom solomon over the past several decades, the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children has decreased but there remains a signi.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. May 30, 2018 meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly. Its typically mild and goes away without treatment. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is less. This type of meningitis is usually caused by viruses but it may be due to bacterial. While some forms of meningitis are mild and resolve without treatment, meningitis. It is a serious condition that can be life threatening. Viral meningitis tends to be less severe, and most people recover completely without treatment.
These data are compared with prevaccination data from finland 78 and the united states 79. Meningitis all types health conditions directory queensland health. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Cerebral spinal fluid csf is the fluid within the open spaces of the brain that. The most common types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis are. Arboviruses mosquitoes and other insects spread can lead to viral meningitis infections. Dec 07, 2017 encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain.
The average annual incidence per 1,00,000 children of hib meningitis was 4. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, including the pia, arachnoid, and subarachnoid space, that occurs in response to infection with bacteria andor bacterial products. Most cases of meningitis result from infections that are contagious. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Tbm is typically a subacute disease with symptoms that may persist for weeks before diagnosis. Who practical guidelines, control of epidemic meningococcal disease.
Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis david m. Frequent handwashing with soap and water or use of alcoholbased hand rubs or gels can help stop the. Meningitis powerpoint 2009 warren hills regional school. Haemophilus influenzae type b hib can also cause meningitis. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Pathophysiology and treatment of bacterial meningitis.
It can be caused by a number of infectious agents including viruses and bacteria. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of. This is normally caused by infection but can also have noninfectious causes. In general, meningitis due to bacteria bacterial meningitis is more severe than meningitis caused by viruses viral meningitis. Meningitis is most commonly caused by bacteria and viruses. Within these more common bacteria, are other bacteria that cause rarer types of meningitis. It can be caused by a variety of organisms that include bacteria, fungi or viruses. In developing countries, haemophilus influenza type b and salmonella species are still major causes of meningitis in infants and young children. The inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection and can be lifethreatening. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels. Some types of pneumococcal meningitis can be prevented by immunization. Smoking, secondhand smoke and crowded living conditions also increase the risk for some kinds of.
The severity of a childs symptoms and prognosis depend on the specific organism that is causing the meningitis. It is usually caused by a viral infection, or by the immune system attacking brain tissue, and it is rarely lifethreatening. The diagnostic yield of csf microscopy can be improved by centrifugation of a. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. These bacteria can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or saliva transfer during kissing or mouthtomouth resuscitation. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Characteristic cerebrospinal fluid csf findings of tbm include a lymphocyticpredominant pleiocytosis, elevated protein, and low glucose.
You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth. Candida albicans is a fungus that normally causes thrush. The types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis vary according to the infected individuals age group in premature babies and newborns up to three months old, common causes are group b streptococci subtypes iii which normally inhabit the vagina and are mainly a cause during the first week of life and bacteria that normally inhabit the digestive tract such as escherichia coli. Meningitis is an umbrella term for five types of the disease, each characterized by its underlying cause. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, followed by bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Several types of bacteria can first cause an upper respiratory tract infection and then travel through the bloodstream to the brain. Cerebral spinal fluid csf is the fluid within the open spaces of the brain that protect and cushion the brain and spinal cord. Learn about the rarer causes as meningitis can affect anyone. If the cause of your meningitis is unclear, your doctor may start antiviral and antibiotic treatment while the cause is determined. Understanding the 5 types of meningitis meningitis. Depending on the type of infection, meningitis could go away without. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord.
Fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and rash can all be signs of meningitis. Many different kinds of bacteria can cause meningitis. There are several types of this disease, including bacterial, viral, and fungal. Jul 18, 2014 understanding the 5 types of meningitis. Meningitis about bacterial meningitis infection cdc. While this is correct when looking at the number of cases annually, in most cases the most common forms of meningococcal and meningitis can be prevented through vaccination and proper hygiene.
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection that invades the cerebral spinal fluid csf. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which strain of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Routine neuroimaging is not necessary for the initial medical evaluation of children with suspected bacterial meningitis who do not have clinical signs of brain. If meningococcal disease is suspected in primary care, guidelines recommend that benzylpenicillin be administered before transfer to hospital. Nontuberculous meningitis is a common lifethreatening infection throughout africa. Additionally, people with weak immune systems are more at risk for meningitis. Detection rates in the csf may be as high as 90%, while about 50% positive results are observed in blood cultures. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria neisseria meningitidis, and. Types and causes of meningitis and meningococcal disease. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Feb 27, 2019 some types of pneumococcal meningitis can be prevented by immunization. Most cases of meningitis in the united states are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Treatment for chronic meningitis is based on the underlying cause.
Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, longterm complications. Burden of meningitis and other severe bacterial infections of. Another deadly and contagious type of meningitis is meningococcal meningitis, caused by neisseria meningitides. There are vaccines, which can be used to help prevent this kind of meningitis. Types and causes of meningitis and meningococcal disease doctors and scientists will say that meningococcal and meningitis are very rare diseases. If a person is exposed to the saliva of someone with meningitis caused by certain types of bacteria, public health officials or your health care provider may recommend an antibiotic to prevent disease. Neisseria meningitidis, which is spread through saliva and other respiratory fluids and. Meningococcal meningitis caused by neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses.
Bacterial meningitis can be lifethreatening and spreads between people in close contact with each other. Division of infectious diseases, childrens mercy hospitals and clinics, kansas city, mo. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types. Meningitis caused by these bacteria is called meningococcal. Dec 01, 2015 describe the causes, clinical manifestations, and general approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the different types of meningitis in children of various ages. In the past, hib was the most in the past, hib was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises.