It is a serious infection of the meninges which was the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
- Aseptic Meningitis
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Fungal Meningitis
- Parasitic Meningitis
- Amebic Meningitis
- Non-infectious Meningitis
Signs / Symptoms
What's common signs of meningitis?
- Stiff neck
- Fever
- Sensitivity to light
- Altered mental status – Confusion
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Skin rash
Common causes
What's common causes of meningitis?
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Ameba
- Medical conditions such as cancer, lupus, drugs, brain surgery, head trauma
Departments & Emergency
If an individual has one or more sign and symptoms it is recommended to see:
- Emergency Room
- Internal Medicine
- Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Diagnosis
It is based on clinical assessment.
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood cultures
- Imaging tests
- Lumbar puncture
- PCR
- Rapid diagnostic tests such as agglutination tests
Treatment
It is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
- Bacterial meningitis is treated with several antibiotics.
- Viral meningitis can be treated with antiviral medications
- Vaccines are way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis.
- Do not smoke and avoid cigarette smoke
- Get plenty of rest and fluid
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Pain medications to help fever and aches
FAQ
Am I at risk?
Anyone can get meningitis or septicemia, but various factors can increase the risk: age, geography and environment, medical conditions related immune system, contact with a patients or risky people.
Can meningitis and septicemia be prevented?
Vaccines give excellent protection, but cannot yet prevent all forms.
Resources: WHO, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NIH, Medscape, Meningitis Research Foundation