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)