Meningitis Symptoms

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.