What is Meningitis? Information About Symptoms, Types, Treatment Methods, and Vaccines

What is Meningitis? What Are the Symptoms? How Is It Treated?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Many conditions can cause meningitis. Typical symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting may be observed. It can affect people of all ages and lead to serious problems. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance. Treatment varies depending on the cause.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is known as the inflammation of the meningeal area. The meninges are the membrane layer that protects and supports the brain and spinal cord from injury. It contains cerebrospinal fluid, nerves, and blood vessels. This disease usually occurs due to bacteria or viruses entering the body.

What Are the Symptoms of Meningitis?

Meningitis can develop at any age, from infancy to old age. Therefore, different symptoms may appear in infants, children, and adults. At the same time, the type of meningitis can differentiate the symptoms, and the severity may increase or decrease. Initially, the symptoms of viral and bacterial types may show similarities, but the bacterial type is usually more severe. Symptoms of viral meningitis in infants may include:

Vomiting,

Diarrhea,

Skin rash,

Respiratory distress,

Constant crying,

Loss of appetite.

Symptoms of meningitis in adults and children may include:

Fever,

Headache,

Stiff neck,

Loss of appetite,

Neck stiffness,

Sensitivity to light,

Petechiae (spots on the skin that look like a rash).

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis are similar to these symptoms, but a condition caused by bacteria appears more rapidly and severely. If you experience these symptoms, it is recommended that you consult the nearest healthcare institution.

In addition to these symptoms, nausea, vomiting, loss of concentration/lack of focus, and loss of balance may be experienced in fungal meningitis. Symptoms of meningitis in infants may include swelling in the soft spot (fontanelle) on the back of the head, lethargy or difficulty waking from sleep, and slower reactions.

What Are the Types of Meningitis?

There are numerous types of meningitis. The treatment approach and symptoms for each type may vary. The most common varieties are those of viral and bacterial origin.

Viral meningitis: Commonly encountered viral meningitis can often resolve without treatment, but in some cases, treatment may be needed. Viruses in the enterovirus category can cause this type of meningitis, but meningitis develops in only a small fraction of people exposed to the virus. These viruses become more common in the autumn and summer months. Those in the enterovirus category are called Coxsackie A, Coxsackie B, and Echoviruses. There are also viruses and diseases that are not in this group but can still lead to viral meningitis. These can be listed as influenza, mumps, measles, HIV, Herpes virus, and West Nile virus.

Bacterial meningitis: This is a type that can cause the patient to lose their life if not treated. It is one of the contagious types of meningitis and occurs due to an infection caused by certain bacteria. The most common types of bacteria that cause this type are Pneumococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, and Staphylococcus. While Pneumococcus is found in the respiratory tract, Neisseria meningitidis is found in fluids such as saliva. At the same time, the Staphylococcus bacterium lives on the skin. Therefore, bacterial meningitis can be easily transmitted through contact, respiration, and similar routes.

Fungal meningitis: This is a rare type and is more likely to develop in people with a weakened immune system. People with diseases such as cancer that weaken the immune system are also more likely to contract it. This type is caused by a fungus that travels through the bloodstream to the brain and spinal cord after entering the body.

Parasitic meningitis: It is seen less frequently than viral and bacterial types. Parasites found in contaminated places, certain animals, feces, and fish can cause parasitic meningitis. It is not transmitted from one person to another, but it can be transmitted to an animal.

Non-infectious meningitis: It is not related to an infection. It is a type of meningitis caused by certain conditions or treatments. Head trauma, brain surgery, cancer, and lupus can lead to this type.

Chronic meningitis: This applies to patients with meningitis lasting longer than 4 weeks. Causes may include fungi and rheumatic diseases. Efforts can be made to eliminate the disease by treating the causes that lead to the emergence of chronic meningitis.

How is Meningitis Diagnosed?

Your doctor at the healthcare institution you apply to for meningitis may first want to understand the situation with a physical examination. During the examination, notes based on observation, such as the presence of a skin rash or neck stiffness, may be taken. After your information is taken, there are some tests that need to be performed. These tests include:

Nose and throat culture: A swab is taken from the nose or throat with a soft-tipped stick. The presence of signs of infection is examined in the laboratory.

Lumbar puncture: This is the procedure of taking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by entering with a needle from the lower back region. In this way, it is checked whether there is an infection in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Blood test: A blood test is performed to monitor the blood for infection.

MRI: Images of the brain can be obtained to see if there is an infection in the region.

Your doctor may recommend that you have all the tests deemed necessary for you.

How is Meningitis Treated?

To treat meningitis, the underlying condition must be understood. While antibiotics can be used for treatment in bacterial meningitis, antifungal drugs are preferred in those caused by fungi. In addition, viral treatment is applied to eliminate viruses. In meningitis that develops due to diseases, efforts are made to reduce meningitis symptoms by treating the underlying disease. Apart from these, painkillers to relieve the patient's pain and serums to keep the fluid-electrolyte balance at a good level may be prescribed to the patient. Since each patient's cause and symptoms will differ, it will be correct to follow the treatment path according to the recommendations of the healthcare personnel.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Meningitis?

Simple lifestyle changes can be made to protect against contagious meningitis, but personal protection cannot be provided for non-contagious meningitis as they are not caused by an infection. Examples of measures that can reduce transmission include:

Washing hands frequently (before and after eating, after using the restroom, etc.).

Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing and warning people around who do not cover theirs.

Wiping frequently touched surfaces (elevator buttons, etc.)

Avoiding contact with someone you know has meningitis, or ensuring they wear a mask if contact cannot be avoided.

Not swimming in or drinking water that looks dirty.

Not consuming raw or undercooked meat and seafood.

Not consuming unpasteurized milk or foods made with such milk.

Thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables consumed.

Wearing a mask at the workplace for people working in construction areas to avoid inhaling dust in the environment.

Inquiring about diseases in the country or city you will travel to.

These measures can be tried to minimize transmission and protect your health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meningitis

Some groups are more at risk for contracting meningitis. Groups at risk can be stated as follows:

Children under 5 years old (especially the bacterial meningitis type),

People with weak immune systems; for example, HIV or cancer patients and people using immunosuppressive drugs,

Patients without a spleen or with a damaged spleen,

Those experiencing cerebrospinal fluid leakage,

Those living in places where diseases that can cause meningitis are prevalent,

Patients with sickle cell anemia,

Those living in communal living areas.

Some people who have had meningitis may experience long-term side effects. Bacterial meningitis, in particular, is a type that has permanent damage. These side effects include vision/hearing loss, memory problems, balance problems, organ damage, and learning difficulties in children. Before vaccination, it may be necessary to consult a specialist doctor to assess whether there will be an allergic reaction. If deemed appropriate, the vaccine is injected by a healthcare professional into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. After the vaccine is administered, you may be asked not to leave for a certain period in case of any allergy. If you need to have other doses, you should note this somewhere and have them again. In infants, the meningitis vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months. A booster dose can be given to a 12-month-old baby. At the same time, the five-in-one combination vaccine given at 18 months also provides protection against meningitis. The meningitis vaccine can be given after age 2 in children and as a single dose in adults. Although less common, some people may experience a fever above 38 degrees after the meningitis vaccine. In addition to fever, side effects such as chills, headache, nausea, joint pain, and pain at the injection site may also occur. It is not recommended to have the meningitis vaccine while pregnant, but it can be done if there is a risky situation regarding meningitis. The meningitis vaccine is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. In meningitis, fever and other symptoms cannot be specified in a clear range as they vary depending on the patient and the type of disease. Usually, symptoms of meningitis begin to be observed between 3 and 7 days. For a situation where you learn about the existence of the disease after contact, it is recommended to have an examination without waiting for symptoms to appear.

Meningitis is a life-threatening disease that can lead to serious health problems if not diagnosed early. If you are experiencing symptoms of meningitis, you should consult a specialist doctor without delay. Our Hisar Hospital Neurology Department specialists are with you with accurate diagnosis and effective treatment methods. You can visit our contact page to get more information or to create an appointment immediately.