Meningitis
By Ujala Cygnus
Reviewed by : Jalaz Jain
January 30, 2023
MENINGITIS
An inflammation of the membranes covering your brain and spinal cord is known as meningitis (meninges). Meningitis of the spine is another name for it. Your meninges offer structure, support, and injury protection for your brain and spinal cord. They have blood arteries, nerves, and protecting fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).
Meningitis can be brought on by infectious disorders like viruses and bacteria and non-infectious diseases like cancer or head injuries.
Types
Bacterial meningitis.viral meningitis.fungus-induced meningitis.Parasites can cause meningitis. Meningitis caused by particular parasites is referred to as eosinophilic meningitis or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EM).Primary amebic meningitis (PAM). Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba, can cause meningitis.drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM). Some medications occasionally cause aseptic meningitis as a side effect (DIAM). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics are the leading causes of DIAM.ongoing meningitis Chronic meningitis is defined as meningitis that lasts for a month or longer.acute meningitis. Bacterial acute meningitis typically presents with severe, abrupt symptoms.SYMPTOMS
Meningitis signs in children and adults
a stiff neck.sickness or vomitingresponsiveness to light (photophobia).confusion or a changed state of mind.Lethargy, severe tiredness, or difficulty waking up.insufficient appetiteSmall, circular lesions that resemble rashes (petechiae).There are further signs of amebic meningitis. A few days after your initial symptoms, you can encounter more amebic meningitis symptoms, including:
Hallucinations.loss of equilibrium, lack of focus or attention.signs and symptoms of meningitis in infants
It might be challenging to determine whether your kid is exhibiting the same meningitis symptoms as adults, such as headache, stiff neck, and nausea. Baby meningitis symptoms include a few of the following:
The baby’s head has a bulging “soft spot” (fontanelle).poor nutritiondrowsiness or difficulty waking up after sleeping.low energy or delayed reactions (lethargy).Causes
Bacterial meningitis causes
pneumococcus streptococcus.B Group Streptococcus.Meningitis caused by Neisseria.flu caused by Hemophilus.monocytogenes listeriaE. coli.Tuberculosis-causing mycobacterium.Viral meningitis causes
polio-unrelated enterovirusesMumps.Herpesviruses (including those that cause mononucleosis, chickenpox and shingles) (including those that cause mononucleosis, chickenpox and shingles).Measles.Influenza.Arboviruses, including the West Nile virus.the virus causing lymphocytic choriomeningitis.Fungal meningitis causes
Coccidioides.Parasitic meningitis’s root causes (eosinophilic meningitis)
Cantonensis Angiostrongylus.Baylisascaris procyonis.Spinigerum gnathostoma.Amebic meningitis causes (PAM)
Amebic meningitis is caused by Naegleria fowleri.
Non-infectious meningitis causes
Lupus erythematosus systemic (lupus).a few drugs, including NSAIDs and antibiotics.head trauma.brain operation.DIAGNOSIS
Nasal or throat swab..Blood tests.or[MRI] (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4876-magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri)Stool sample.Meningitis may be treated with drugs and other therapies, such as:
For bacterial meningitis, antibiotics.drugs to treat fungus-related meningitis.Antivirals for several types of viral meningitis, such as influenza and herpesvirus.Prednisone or dexamethasone, which are corticosteroids, can lessen inflammation.drugs that reduce pain.IV hydration with fluids.
