Download - meningitis pdf
Name:
Arooba Asmat
Roll no.:
BSSlp 02143004
Subject:
Medicine
Submitted to:
Mam Saffa
Topic :
“Meningitis”
Date:
28October2015Wednesday
Meningitis
A serious disease caused by viral,
bacterial , fungal or parasitical
infection, in which there is
inflammation of the meninges, and
marked by severe headache and
fever, sensitivity to light, and
muscular rigidity.
Meninges:
The protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord are known as the meninges.
Meningitis is caused by the inflammation of meninges.
Cause of inflammation:
The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal
cord.
Development:
Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but
meningitis can also be caused by fungus, parasites, physical injury, cancer or certain drugs.
Bacterial meningitis:
It is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious
complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.
Pathogens:
There are several pathogens that can cause bacterial meningitis. Some of the leading causes of
bacterial meningitis are
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Group B Streptococcus
Listeria monocytogenes
Neisseria meningitides
Causes:
Common causes of bacterial meningitis vary by age group:
Age Group Causes
Newborns Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes
Infants and Children Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus
influenzae type b
Adolescents and Young
Adults
Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae
Older Adults Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria
monocytogenes
Signs and Symptoms:
Meningitis infection may show up in a person by a sudden onset of
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Nausea
Vomiting
Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Altered mental status (confusion)
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they
develop within 3-7 days after exposure.
Treatment:
Bacterial meningitis can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Treatment should be started as
soon as possible.
Prevention:
There are vaccines for three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis:
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Antibiotics may be recommended for close contacts of people with meningococcal meningitis.
Viral meningitis:
Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. It
is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most
people usually get better on their own (without
treatment). However, infants younger than 1 month old
and people with weakened immune systems are more likely
to have severe illness.
Causes:
Non-polio enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis
Other viruses that can cause meningitis are
Mumps virus
Herpesviruses, herpes simplex viruses,
Varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles)
Measles virus
Influenza virus
Arboviruses, such as West Nile virus
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Symptoms:
Common symptoms in infants
Fever
Irritability
Poor eating
Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
Lethargy (a lack of energy)
Common symptoms in adults
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Sensitivity to bright light
Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
Nausea
Vomiting
Lack of appetite
Lethargy (a lack of energy)
Most people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days.
Treatment:
In most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Most people who get viral
meningitis completely recover on their own within 7 to 10 days. However, people with
meningitis caused by certain viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza, may benefit from
treatment with an antiviral medication.
Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral
meningitis.
Prevention:
There are no vaccines to protect against non-polio enteroviruses, which are the most common
cause of viral meningitis.
Following steps to help lower your chances of getting infected with non-polio enteroviruses or
spreading them to other people:
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, using the
toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils with
people who are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if
someone is sick.
Stay home when you are sick
Some vaccinations can protect against diseases such as
Measles
Mumps
Chickenpox
Influenza
Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans.
Fungal meningitis:
Fungal meningitis is rare and usually the result of spread of a fungus through blood to the
spinal cord.
Causes:
The most common cause of fungal meningitis for people with weakened immune systems is Cryptococcus.
Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of fungal meningitis may include the following:
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Nausea and vomiting
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Altered mental status (confusion)
Treatment:
Fungal meningitis is treated with long courses of high dose antifungal medications, usually given through an IV line in the hospital. People with weak immune systems has longer period of treatment i.e. AIDS, diabetes, or cancer.
Parasitic meningitis:
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that
causes a brain infection that is usually fatal.
Causes:
The parasite enters the body through the nose and is caused by
Naegleria fowleri.
Signs and Symptoms:
Initial symptoms of PAM start 1 to 7 days after infection. The initial symptoms include
headache
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Stiff neck
Confusion
Lack of attention to people and surroundings
Loss of balance
Seizures
Hallucinations
After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within
about 5 days (range 1 to 12 days).
Treatment:
Several drugs are effective against Naegleria fowleri in the laboratory. However, their
effectiveness is unclear since almost all infections have been fatal, even when people were
treated.
Non–infectious meningitis:
Causes:
Cancers
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)
Certain drugs
Head injury
Brain surgery
Signs and Symptoms:
Meningitis infection is characterized by a sudden
onset of
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Nausea
Vomiting
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Altered mental status (confusion)