Meningitis refers to an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes that surround a human being’s spinal cord and brain. The membranes are known as meninges.

Anyone can get afflicted with meningitis, but it’s most commonly seen in teenagers, babies, young adults, and young children. Certain cases can cause life-threatening blood poisoning, thereby permanently damaging the person’s nerves or brain.There are several vaccinations available that protect humans from meningitis. If you believe that you or someone around you has meningitis, make sure to seek immediate medical attention.

What Causes Meningitis?

Viral or bacterial infections that begin somewhere else in the body, such as the throat, ears, or sinuses, are what cause meningitis. Some of the lesser-known causes of meningitis are:

• Syphilis
• Medicines for cancer
• Autoimmune disorders
• Tuberculosis

Symptoms of Meningitis in Children And Adults

The symptoms of meningitis can develop within a couple of hours or days. These symptoms include:

• Fever
• Seizures
• Lack of appetite
• Stiff neck
• Numbness in the face
• Confusion
• Sleepiness or trouble waking up
• Lack of thirst
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Skin rash
• Vomiting or nausea
• Upset stomach

Meningitis Signs And Symptoms in Babies

The signs and symptoms that infants or newborns may display when they have meningitis are:

• High fever
• Vomiting
• Crying constantly
• Crankiness
• Stiff body or neck
• Being sluggish
• Having trouble waking up from sleep
• Poor feeding
• Being irritable or sleepy
• Bulge in the soft area on top of the head

Types of Meningitis

Meningitis can be divided into the following types:

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis that usually gets cured on its own. Viruses in the Enterovirus category are mainly responsible for this type of meningitis.

What Causes Viral Meningitis?

The other viruses linked to viral meningitis are:

• HIV
• Influenza
• Mumps
• Herpes viruses
• West Nile virus

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria enter a human’s bloodstream and travel to the spinal cord and brain.

What Causes Bacterial Meningitis?

Various kinds of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis, with the common ones being:

• Listeria monocytogenes (in pregnant women, older people, and those with immune system issues)
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Streptococcus pneumoniae

Fungal Meningitis

Fungal meningitis is caused due to a fungus that infects a person’s body, spreading from the bloodstream to the spinal cord or brain. People with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to fungal meningitis.

What Causes Fungal Meningitis?

The funguses normally associated with fungal meningitis are:

• Histoplasma
• Cryptococcus
• Coccidioides
• Blastomyces

Parasitic Meningitis

Parasitic meningitis occurs due to parasites that usually affect animals. The risk of developing it is higher when one consumes undercooked or raw food.

What Causes Parasitic Meningitis?

The causes of parasitic meningitis include eating animals that are infected by parasites or their eggs, including poultry, fish, snakes, slugs, and snails.

Non-infectious Meningitis

Non-infectious meningitis is usually caused due to other treatments or medical conditions and isn’t an infection.

What Causes Non-infectious Meningitis?

The causes of non-infectious meningitis include:

• Cancer
• Head injury
• Lupus
• Brain surgery
• Certain medicines

Chronic Meningitis

Chronic meningitis can last for longer than four weeks, with the symptoms being similar to acute meningitis.

What Causes Chronic Meningitis?

Causes of chronic meningitis could be:

•  Cancer
• Rheumatological conditions
• Fungi

Is Meningitis Contagious?

Certain types of meningitis are not contagious, such as non-infectious, parasitic, and fungal meningitis. Viral meningitis, though, is contagious and can spread when someone comes in direct contact with body fluids. This usually spreads due to coughing and sneezing.

One doesn’t have to be in contact with an infected person to be infected with meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can also be contagious, and it spreads from prolonged contact with someone who is infected. Some of the main places from where this can spread are schools, college dorms, daycare centers, and hospitals.

How Does One Get Meningitis?

Based on whether the cause of meningitis is infectious or not, there are several ways in which one can get it:

• It can happen as a side effect of a given medicine.
• It can occur due to the fungi in the environment.
• Passed from one person to another due to a contagious illness.
• Due to brain surgery or a head injury.
• By drinking or swimming in contaminated water.
• Through food that has been contaminated with something infectious.
• Due to the complications of a non-infectious illness.

How is Meningitis Diagnosed?

In order to diagnose meningitis, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and conduct a physical exam, which will include looking for a skin rash that may suggest a bacterial infection and checking if your neck is stiff or not. The tests could involve:

• Blood tests
• MRI or CT scans
• Stool sample
• Spinal tap (the process of taking fluid from around a person’s spinal cord)

How is Meningitis Treated?

The treatment for meningitis depends on what caused it. Fungal meningitis is treated through antifungals, and bacterial meningitis is treated using antibiotics. Certain viral causes of meningitis can be treated with antivirals.

The other infectious causes of meningitis don’t have a particular treatment associated with themselves. A doctor could give you medicines to ease the symptoms or reduce inflammation.

How to Prevent Meningitis?

Here is how you can prevent meningitis:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Indulge in exercise and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
• Stay updated on all the necessary vaccinations.
• Don’t share your beverages and food with others.
• Always cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing.
• Ensure that the food you consume is well-cooked, especially if you’re pregnant.
• Don’t share certain personal items with others, such as lipstick, utensils, and toothbrushes.

What to Expect If I Have Meningitis?

The outlook with regard to meningitis is based on the severity of the condition, what caused it, and the speed at which the treatment is administered. Your recovery can be quick if you’re treated soon enough, but it often takes people time to recover completely and feel well again.

Your treatment could continue even after you get back home, and you should also be prepared to stay in the hospital for a while. Your doctor will look into the lasting health concerns during your follow-up appointments.

Complications of Meningitis

The following are some of the complications associated with meningitis:

• Sepsis caused due to bacterial meningitis
• Seizures
• Loss of vision
• Brain damage
• Memory problems
• Migraine headaches
• Loss of hearing
• Fluid buildup between the skull and the brain

How Long Does Meningitis Last?

The symptoms related to fungal or bacterial meningitis usually last for a couple of days or weeks post-treatment. Viral meningitis tends to go away in about a week. While some individuals could face permanent or long-lasting health issues, others recover within weeks or months.

Long-term Effects of Meningitis

The lasting effects on a person’s health are mostly caused due to bacterial meningitis than the other types. The long-term effects of the condition are as follows:

• Arthritis
• Hearing or vision loss
• Organs getting damaged
• Issues with balance and movement
• Memory trouble or concentration issues
• Loss of limbs, toes, or fingers due to sepsis
• Epilepsy
• Learning difficulties or behavioral issues in kids

Can You Survive Meningitis?

Although meningitis is a serious illness that needs to be treated immediately, it is possible to survive most types of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis, which is known as the deadliest type of meningitis, has a survival rate of about 90%.

FAQs

Conclusion

If you believe that you have meningitis or have been in close contact with someone who is infected by it, make sure to get in touch with your doctor immediately and get yourself checked.

Once you see your doctor, be sure to ask them the necessary questions, such as what type of meningitis you have, the kind of treatment you will have to go for, how to manage your symptoms, and if you’re contagious to those around you or not.