Understanding meningitis

Meningitis is a relatively rare infection that
affects the delicate membranes that cover the
brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis can
be deadly and contagious among people in
close contact.
Bacterial meningitis can be caused by several
different types of bacteria, including:
Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called
pneumococcus. Neisseria meningitidis, also
called meningococcus. Haemophilus
influenzae, also called Hib.
Generally, the germs that cause bacterial
meningitis spread from one person to another,
People spread Neisseria meningitidis by
sharing respiratory or throat secretions (saliva
or spit). This typically occurs during close
(coughing or kissing) or lengthy (living in the
same household) contact.
The common symptoms are fever, headache
and neck stiffness, confusion or altered
consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to
tolerate light or loud noises.
Young children often exhibit only nonspecific
symptoms, such as irritability, drowsiness, or
poor feeding.
Some forms of meningitis are preventable by
immunization with the meningococcal,
mumps, pneumococcal, and Hib vaccines.
The inflammation may be caused by infection
with viruses, bacteria, or other
microorganisms, and less commonly by certain
drugs. Corticosteroids can also be used to
prevent complications from excessive
inflammation.
Meningitis is potentially life-threatening and
has a high mortality rate if untreated; delay in
treatment has been associated with a poorer
outcome.
The first treatment in acute meningitis
consists of promptly giving antibiotics and
sometimes antiviral drugs.