What is Meningitis?

Meningitis. Sounds serious, doesn't it? Well, it can be. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be life threatening if not treated right away. Viral meningitis usually seems like a really bad case of the flu, and is usually much less serious. Viral meningitis can be caused by enteroviruses, which are found in mucus, saliva, and feces. They are transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or a contaminated object. Sometimes other viruses including flu, herpes, mumps, West Nile, and HIV can trigger viral meningitis. This type of meningitis is most common in children and adults under age 30, and often causes only flu-like symptoms and gastrointestinal distress. In more severe cases it can trigger pain and seizures. It typically clears up on its own in 2 to 4 weeks with no lasting complications. Bacterial meningitis needs immediate medical treatment or it could potentially be fatal. Aggressive antibacterial treatment is needed to reduce the risk of brain damage, or worse. And long-term treatment and therapy may be needed to recover from the physical damage this infection can cause. A confusing aspect of meningitis is that both bacterial and viral meningitis have similar symptoms in the early stages, which include a stiff neck, fever, headache and possibly nausea. Because bacterial meningitis can be so serious and needs treatment, you should get to the doctor right away to determine which type you might have. A spinal tap, blood cultures and a CT scan of the head will help your doctor figure out a treatment plan, and routine immunizations can go a long way towards meningitis prevention.

Anyone can get meningitis, which is an infection of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. But some people are more vulnerable than others. The infection is most commonly caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral meningitis accounts for about 80 percent of the cases. It often seems like a bad case of the flu and may not require any medical treatment. It's usually spread hand to mouth after contact with anyone or anything--- such as saliva, feces, or mucus - that's contaminated with the triggering viruses. Enteroviruses, the flu virus, mumps, measles and herpes simplex virus can all cause viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is much less common, affecting between 4 and 8 thousand people a year in the U.S. Young children, people living in communal environments, such as college dorms, those with weakened immune systems, because of cancer treatment or HIV, for example, and the elderly, are most likely to get it. More than 50 types of bacteria can cause the infection. If you fall into any of the high risk groups, such as college kids or someone with a weakened immune system, having additional risk factors can make you more likely to come down with the infection. These additional risk factors include: excessive alcohol consumption; diabetes; a head injury or trauma; a recent ear or respiratory infection, including pneumonia; or missing a spleen, if for example yours was removed. And, although exceedingly rare in this country, women are at increased risk for bacterial meningitis during pregnancy because of immune system changes. For both viral and bacterial meningitis, an effective way to reduce your risk of infection is to make sure to wash your hands after you change a baby's diaper, use the bathroom, or prepare food. And always wash your hands BEFORE eating or drinking. There is a vaccine against bacterial meningitis and it is recommended for infants 9 months and older, college students in their first year, military recruits, and anyone traveling to locations where food and water may be sources of infection.For more information on viral and bacterial meningitis, check out other videos on this site.

The cause of meningitis varies depending on which type you have: bacterial, viral, fungal, or noninfectious. In the US, the more common types are bacterial and viral. Both types cause inflammation of the meninges, which are protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. VIRAL meningitis accounts for 80% of cases in the U.S. It's usually triggered by enteroviruses. These are typically found in the saliva, mucus and feces of an infected person. The virus is easily spread through coughing, sharing food and drinks, kissing, or improper hand washing. You're most likely to catch meningitis in the summer and fall months, when the enteroviruses thrive. Other viral infections that can lead to meningitis include mumps, measles, influenza, various herpes viruses, Epstein-Barr and West Nile viruses. Bacterial meningitis, while rare, can cause brain damage or death. It's associated with a variety of bacteria. Like viral meningitis, it's easily spread through respiratory fluids, as well as contaminated food and water. Between 4,000 and 8,000 cases are reported in the US every year. Fungal and non-infectious meningitis are much less common and are often associated with an autoimmune disorder or serious medical condition such as cancer. For more information on viral and bacterial meningitis, check out other videos in this series.

If you've contracted meningitis, it's possible you may not even know it. Meningitis - a disease that causes inflammation of the lining that covers your brain and spinal cord - is often mistaken for a bad case of the flu. However, whether you've contracted viral or, the more serious, bacterial, meningitis, it will likely come with some additional symptoms, including: sudden high fever and chills, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, skin rash, rapid breathing, sensitivity to light, dizziness and confusion, agitation, fatigue, and a lack of appetite. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis in the U.S. While it's usually mild, it can take a couple of weeks to get over. Bacterial meningitis much rarer, but often more serious-20% of people who get it will die and 25 to 50 % will have long term neurological damage. Treatment with antibiotics is most effective if it's immediate and aggressive. To determine if viral or bacterial meningitis is responsible for your symptoms, tests such as blood cultures and a spinal tap are needed. So remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, don't just assume you've just got the flu. Contact your doctor.

There are two forms of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Viral is both more common and usually less serious. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, can be life-threatening. Fortunately, it only affects about 4,000 people in the US every year. So, what is bacterial meningitis? It's an inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord that's caused by a variety of bacteria. The most common forms are meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis. There is now a vaccine against Pneumococcal meningitis, so it is becoming much less common. Infrequently, E. coli, listeria, the tuberculosis bacterium or a head injury can trigger bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is easily spread through respiratory fluids, such as saliva, among people living or spending time in close quarters, including college campuses, daycare centers, sleep-away camps, or military barracks. Those with a weakened immune system are also at risk. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear within 2-3 hours or up to two days after exposure and most commonly include: high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and confusion. When symptoms appear in infants, they can also include: constant crying, especially when picked up, stiffness throughout the body and a bulge in the soft spot on the head. If a blood test confirms you have bacterial meningitis, immediate intravenous treatment with targeted antibiotics is essential. So, what's your best bet for avoiding bacterial meningitis? It's as simple as being up-to-date on your vaccinations, washing your hands often, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and maintaining a healthy diet. For more information on bacterial and viral meningitis, check out other videos in this series.

Reports of viral meningitis pop up more in the summer months than any other time of the year. That's because the viruses that can trigger this form of meningitis thrive from late May through early September. People in communal living environments, such as college dorms or military barracks, young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Enteroviruses, similar to the virus that causes the common cold, are the most frequent trigger. They're found in the saliva, sputum, nasal mucus and feces of an infected person. Viral meningitis also can be triggered by the West Nile virus, the flu, mumps, measles, chicken pox, shingles, and herpes simplex.These viruses are spread from person to person by touching any object an infected person has touched, by sharing drinks and utensils, kissing, or being near someone who's infected and coughing. Washing your hands before and after handling food -- and after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, using the bathroom, or changing diapers -- can help prevent the spread. Viral meningitis accounts for about 80 percent of all meningitis cases, and is generally mild without any lingering repercussions. In fact, it may not require medical attention. But it can cause high fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, fatigue and a lack of appetite. One warning: you can't tell if your symptoms indicate viral or bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is potentially life-threatening and it requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent serious complications. That's why it's important to see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. A simple blood test can tell you what type of meningitis you have. There's no specific treatment for viral meningitis, although you may ease symptoms with anti-inflammatory pain relievers or anti-nausea medication. For more information on communicable diseases, check out other videos in this series.

Globally, 95% of People Living with a Cancer-Causing Illness Are Unaware On World Hepatitis Day, the Hepatitis Foundation International urges a dramatic scale up in viral hepatitis testing to reduce liver cancer deaths worldwide. The theme of this year's World Hepatitis Day, 'Elimination of viral hepatitis', explores how everyone - together or as individuals - can do their part to eliminate viral hepatitis. Lack of awareness at an individual, community and government level, is cited as one of the main reasons for perpetuating the global burden of viral hepatitis. Less than 5% of people living with viral hepatitis worldwide are aware of their condition, largely due to the disease being mostly asymptomatic and the lack of routine screening. The result for many is a missed opportunity to access a highly effective treatment that can stop them succumbing to liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Each year, an estimated 24,000 people die from liver cancer in the United States (U.S.), of which the high majority is caused by viral hepatitis. These deaths are completely preventable if people are aware of their infection and have access to the appropriate treatment. Viral hepatitis, which affects many in the U.S., is an inflammation of the liver caused by a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis B and C. An estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million people have chronic hepatitis B and more than 3.2 million have chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person and approximately 240 million people in the U.S. are living with chronic infections. Hepatitis C is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact such as unsafe injection practices and inadequate sterilisation of medical equipment. "People have the right to know if they are living with a cancer-causing virus" stated Ivonne Fuller Cameron, President & CEO of HFI. "On World Hepatitis Day, we are calling on governments to take responsibility by scaling up on hepatitis testing services and providing treatment to reduce needless deaths." World Hepatitis Day is one of only four official disease-specific world health days recognized by WHO. World Hepatitis Day was launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance in 2008 in response to concern about the lack of priority for hepatitis as a global killer and became an official WHO day in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly. At the World Health Assembly in May, the United States joined governments across the world to adopt the WHO Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy and commit to increased diagnosis to 90% by 2030. The U.S. also committed to an overarching goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, which will save millions of lives globally. To mark World Hepatitis Day, the Hepatitis Foundation International together with the World Hepatitis Alliance, and a large number of civil society organizations celebrate the launch of "NOhep", the global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis. NOhep aims to unite those working in the field of hepatitis and others from across the world around one common purpose: the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. "Scientific innovation is leading to unprecedented opportunities in care for affected individuals across the globe. HFI is continuing its commitment to improve care for historically underserved communities", stated Dane Christiansen, Vice Chair, Board of Directors. NOhep is calling on individuals and organizations across the world to sign-up to be part of the next greatest achievement, the elimination of viral hepatitis. Sign up and watch the video here: www.NOhep.org. "Join us today, on World Hepatitis Day, to call on governments to take the first step towards eliminating hepatitis by scaling up hepatitis testing and treatment services", said Ms. Cameron "Because only then we will have a world with "NOhep". Visit HFI's website to learn more on how to become an advocate today and make your voice heard. About the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) About the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) HFI is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization established in 1994 to eradicate viral hepatitis for 550 million people globally. HFI is also dedicated to increasing and promoting health and wellness, as well as, reducing the incidence of preventable liver-related chronic diseases and lifestyles that negatively impact the liver. Some of these diseases include obesity, diabetes, hepatitis, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and liver cancer. We implement our mission through our touchstones to educate, prevent, serve, support, and reach well over 5 million patients and health care professionals annually. The World Hepatitis Alliance The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) is a patient-led and patient driven non-governmental organization (NGO). With over 230 member patient groups from 81 countries, WHA provides global leadership to drive action to help eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Their aim is to work with governments, members and other key partners to support and elevate patient voices, to raise the profile of viral hepatitis and to help establish comprehensive hepatitis strategies which have robust prevention measures and access to affordable diagnostics and treatment.

Anyone born between 1945 and 1965 should add "hepatitis C screening" to their list of things to ask their doctor about. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about three million Baby Boomers are living with hepatitis C, and most of them don't even know they have the disease. Chances are Boomers picked up the infection from blood transfusions before today's current blood-screening procedures were in place. Or sometimes, from shared needles or other drug paraphernalia. And symptoms can take decades to appear. That's why the CDC recommends that all Baby Boomers get a blood test for hepatitis C. If you are diagnosed before symptoms appear, you have several treatment options that may prevent the most serious complications. Waiting until after symptoms appear may mean you've already developed serious health problems, such as cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Besides Baby Boomers, other people who are at risk for hepatitis C include: Healthcare workers who come in contact with infected people or blood. Anyone who gets a piercing or tattoo from contaminated equipment. Anyone who shares toothbrushes, razors and other personal items with someone who has hep C. And those who routinely have unprotected sex with numerous partners. While transmission via sexual contact is rare, it is possible, especially among those who already have a sexually transmitted disease. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C and there is no cure once you have it. Your best protection is to avoid contact with blood whenever possible; abstain from intravenous drug use; make sure tattoo shops are licensed and clean before getting a tattoo or piercing; and always practice safe sex, especially if you're not in a monogamous relationship. For more information on common communicable diseases, check out other videos on this site.

If your symptoms of yellowing skin and eyes, dark urine, vomiting and abdominal pain have led your doctor to diagnose you with hepatitis B, the next thing you'll learn is whether it's acute or chronic. Chronic hep B is a lifelong condition, compared to its acute form, which is a short-lived infection. A blood test can check for antibodies to determine which form you have. Antibodies are the disease fighters that your immune system cranks out when an infection enters your body. For hepatitis B there are two varieties-one is called a surface antibody and indicates acute hep B. That means the disease will run its course and your liver will not be permanently damaged. The other is a core antibody and signals chronic hep B. The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B is most certain if it turns out you have both types of antibodies in your blood. Chronic hep B is a life-long illness which can be managed, but there is no cure. Children, especially those born to mothers with hep B, are most at risk: 90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop chronic hep B. Chronic hepatitis B is treated with interferon and antivirals to slow liver damage. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be needed-but that liver, too, can become badly damaged. For tips on preventing a hep B infection, check out other videos in this series.

Globally, 95% of People Living with a Cancer-Causing Illness Are Unaware On World Hepatitis Day, the Hepatitis Foundation International urges a dramatic scale up in viral hepatitis testing to reduce liver cancer deaths worldwide. The theme of this year's World Hepatitis Day, 'Elimination of viral hepatitis', explores how everyone - together or as individuals - can do their part to eliminate viral hepatitis. Lack of awareness at an individual, community and government level, is cited as one of the main reasons for perpetuating the global burden of viral hepatitis. Less than 5% of people living with viral hepatitis worldwide are aware of their condition, largely due to the disease being mostly asymptomatic and the lack of routine screening. The result for many is a missed opportunity to access a highly effective treatment that can stop them succumbing to liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Each year, an estimated 24,000 people die from liver cancer in the United States (U.S.), of which the high majority is caused by viral hepatitis. These deaths are completely preventable if people are aware of their infection and have access to the appropriate treatment. Viral hepatitis, which affects many in the U.S., is an inflammation of the liver caused by a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis B and C. An estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million people have chronic hepatitis B and more than 3.2 million have chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person and approximately 240 million people in the U.S. are living with chronic infections. Hepatitis C is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact such as unsafe injection practices and inadequate sterilisation of medical equipment. "People have the right to know if they are living with a cancer-causing virus" stated Ivonne Fuller Cameron, President & CEO of HFI. "On World Hepatitis Day, we are calling on governments to take responsibility by scaling up on hepatitis testing services and providing treatment to reduce needless deaths." World Hepatitis Day is one of only four official disease-specific world health days recognized by WHO. World Hepatitis Day was launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance in 2008 in response to concern about the lack of priority for hepatitis as a global killer and became an official WHO day in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly. At the World Health Assembly in May, the United States joined governments across the world to adopt the WHO Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy and commit to increased diagnosis to 90% by 2030. The U.S. also committed to an overarching goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, which will save millions of lives globally. To mark World Hepatitis Day, the Hepatitis Foundation International together with the World Hepatitis Alliance, and a large number of civil society organizations celebrate the launch of "NOhep", the global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis. NOhep aims to unite those working in the field of hepatitis and others from across the world around one common purpose: the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. "Scientific innovation is leading to unprecedented opportunities in care for affected individuals across the globe. HFI is continuing its commitment to improve care for historically underserved communities", stated Dane Christiansen, Vice Chair, Board of Directors. NOhep is calling on individuals and organizations across the world to sign-up to be part of the next greatest achievement, the elimination of viral hepatitis. Sign up and watch the video here: www.NOhep.org. "Join us today, on World Hepatitis Day, to call on governments to take the first step towards eliminating hepatitis by scaling up hepatitis testing and treatment services", said Ms. Cameron "Because only then we will have a world with "NOhep". Visit HFI's website to learn more on how to become an advocate today and make your voice heard. About the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) About the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) HFI is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization established in 1994 to eradicate viral hepatitis for 550 million people globally. HFI is also dedicated to increasing and promoting health and wellness, as well as, reducing the incidence of preventable liver-related chronic diseases and lifestyles that negatively impact the liver. Some of these diseases include obesity, diabetes, hepatitis, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and liver cancer. We implement our mission through our touchstones to educate, prevent, serve, support, and reach well over 5 million patients and health care professionals annually. The World Hepatitis Alliance The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) is a patient-led and patient driven non-governmental organization (NGO). With over 230 member patient groups from 81 countries, WHA provides global leadership to drive action to help eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Their aim is to work with governments, members and other key partners to support and elevate patient voices, to raise the profile of viral hepatitis and to help establish comprehensive hepatitis strategies which have robust prevention measures and access to affordable diagnostics and treatment.

Hepatitis, a viral infection that attacks the liver, comes in many forms. The three main types are hepatitis A, B and C. Treatments for each type vary depending on the severity of the infection. Hepatits A, for example, is usually mild. There are no medications to treat the infection itself, and your best therapy is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat small, bland, low fat meals, to relieve nausea and vomiting. The virus almost always clears up on its own, and the liver usually heals completely in a month or two. Hepatitis B and C also may trigger an acute illness - like hepatitis A-and go away on their own without causing any long-term damage. But they may also cause no noticeable symptoms at all and become chronic-and it may take decades before symptoms show up. By the time they do a person may have extensive liver damage and face cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Once diagnosed, chronic hepatitis B can be treated with a combination of interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues-you may know them better as treatments for HIV. Hepatitis C medications include a combination of pegylated interferon alfa injections and ribavirin pills. In the most severe cases of chronic hep B or C, a liver transplant may be necessary, but continued antiviral treatment is generally needed after the procedure to avoid damage to the new organ. It's smart for people with Hep C to get vaccinated against hep A and B; you can't risk a double liver infection and you are at increased risk of those forms of hepatitis. For more info on hepatitis check out other videos in this series.

Hepatitis vaccines can be extremely beneficial, and in some cases, a lifesaver. Proof? New cases of hepatitis B in the U.S. have been reduced by more than 82% since 1991, thanks to the vaccination of newborns and at-risk adults. Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Most of the time it comes and goes without causing long-term problems, but sometimes it becomes a chronic condition that triggers serious complications as the years pass. You may develop scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. There are numerous strains of hepatitis, but A, B and C are the most common. Both hepatitis A and B have been significantly reduced through vaccines, which are initially given to young children. Both vaccines require 2 to 3 doses to be fully effective. Booster vaccines are recommended for adults over 20 years old, and since 2001 there has been an A-B combination vaccination for adults over 18. In the U.S., hepatitis A - the more prevalent strain -is usually spread through contaminated food and water, while B and C are more commonly transmitted through fluids exchanged in sexual contact or through infection from contaminated blood. Healthcare workers, intravenous drug users, and those awaiting organ transplants or blood transfusions should keep their vaccines updated. It's also recommended that college students living in dorms, seniors living in nursing homes, and international travelers, especially those visiting Asia, Eastern Europe and central and South America, keep vaccinations current. While the vaccines for hep A and B have been very successful, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. However people who have contracted hepatitis C need to keep their hep A and B vaccines current to protect them from a possible double assault on their liver. Side effects from the vaccines are generally mild, ranging from soreness at the injection site to headache and nausea. Rarely do allergic reactions occur. For more information on the various types of hepatitis , check out other videos in this series.