Meningitis is a disease that can cause serious complications if not recognized and treated in the early period. This disease, which can affect people of all ages, can occur due to different factors. By determining the cause of meningitis, treatment is applied for the cause.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes called the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation; It may develop due to bacterial, viral, fungal (fungal) and parasitic infections. In addition to these, chemical reactions, drug allergies, and some types of cancer can cause inflammation in the membranes without causing infection. Although there can be many different causes of meningitis, bacterial and viral meningitis are the most common types. Meningitis, which can affect people of all ages, is more common especially in young ages. The symptoms of meningitis initially progress similarly to the flu. The development of meningitis-related symptoms takes place within a few hours to a few days.
- High fever
- Constant crying
- Excessive sleeping or restlessness
- Difficulty waking up from sleep
- Drowsiness, slowed movements
- Indifference to sucking or eating
- Poor diet
- Vomiting
- Swelling in the fontanel
- It can be listed as stiffness in the body or neck.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus): This bacterium is found in the respiratory tract, sinuses and nasal cavity. This bacterium, which causes pneumonia, is also a common cause of meningitis. The meningitis it causes is called pneumococcal meningitis.
- Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal): Meningitis caused by this bacterium causes serious consequences with 10-15% death rates despite the best treatment. Bacteria, which are usually found in the upper respiratory tract, pass into the bloodstream and reach the brain membranes, causing meningitis. It is common in infants younger than 1 year old due to insufficient development of the immune system. However, there is an increase in the incidence of meningococcal meningitis in the 15-17 age group.
- Haemophilus influenzae: Meningitis caused by this bacterium is especially common in children. In addition to meningitis, it can cause joint inflammation (arthritis) and blood poisoning (bacteria causing infection in the blood).
- Listeria monocytogenes: This bacteria is found in unpasteurized milk and dairy products, undercooked meat products. It can cause meningitis in children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Since this bacterium can cross the placenta, Listeria monocytogenes infection in the later stages of pregnancy can lead to the loss of the baby.
Viral meningitis is generally milder than bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis often goes away on its own, even if left untreated. Types of viruses called enteroviruses are among the most common causes of viral meningitis. In addition, viruses called Influenza, HIV, Herpes can also cause meningitis.
Fungal Meningitis
This type of meningitis caused by fungi is a rare disease. wear AIDS People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing fungal meningitis. Fungal spores enter the body and mix with the blood and pass to the brain and spinal cord, causing the development of meningitis. Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces and similar fungal species cause fungal infections that cause meningitis.
Parasite Meningitis
Meningitis caused by parasites is extremely rare. Parasites can enter the human body in cases such as contact with soil contaminated with feces, consumption of animal foods infected with parasites without proper cooking. Ameboic meningitis can occur as a result of swimming in fresh water. Infection by worms called tapeworms in the brain tissue, malaria in the brain can also cause parasitic meningitis.
Other Meningitis
In this type of meningitis, the disease does not occur due to an infection. Various causes such as lupus, neurosurgery, cancer, and some drugs can cause inflammation in the meninges.
Is Meningitis Contagious?
Meningitis can show infectious features depending on the factor that causes the disease. Bacterial meningitis is contagious. Bacteria usually pass from person to person, causing an infection. Carriers who carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis or another ailment in their body but have no signs and symptoms may play a role in the spread of infections. People who carry the pneumococcal and H. influenza bacteria that cause meningitis; coughing and sneezing can spread the bacteria to people nearby. People who carry meningococcal bacteria in their body can spread the bacteria around through saliva and saliva. Bacteria can be transmitted to healthy people in cases such as kissing, having close contact with the bacteria carrier, living in the same place.
Since meningococcal meningitis is a disease that can cause serious problems, preventive drug treatment is started in the close circle of people who are found to have this disease. Listeria, on the other hand, can enter the body through foods contaminated with bacteria. Although this is not a common situation, it should be noted that viral meningitis can also be contagious.
Fungal and parasites. Meningitis is not contagious between humans. Meningitis that develops due to non-infectious causes is also not contagious.
Immunization has great importance in the prevention of meningitis. There is no single meningitis vaccine for the disease. However, vaccines for pneumococcal and H. influenza bacteria that cause the disease are included in the vaccination calendar.
The question 'When is the meningitis vaccine given?' is a frequently asked question, especially by parents. Conjugated pneumococcal vaccine At the end of the 2nd, 4th and 12th months, the five combination vaccine containing the H. influenza vaccine; It is done at the end of the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 18th months. The repeat dose is given as a quadruple combination vaccine at the end of the 48th month. Routine administration of the meningococcal vaccine to healthy children is not recommended. However, it is recommended that the meningococcal vaccine be given to people who travel to regions where the bacteria are concentrated and risky types are common. For example, people who will make pilgrimages should have meningococcal vaccine.
How is the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis?
The symptoms seen in the patient are of great importance for the diagnosis of meningitis. Since the causative agent of meningitis can be carried through the blood, blood tests can be used for diagnosis. For the definitive diagnosis of meningitis, a procedure called lumbar puncture is applied. In this procedure, a sample is taken from the cerebrospinal fluid between the membranes surrounding the spinal cord with a needle from the waist region of the person. The analysis of this sample allows to determine the causative agent of meningitis. Treatment for the determined agent is started.
The treatment of meningitis differs depending on the underlying cause. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis. In viral meningitis, there is no benefit to using antibiotics. It is recommended that the patient rest well and consume plenty of fluids. The disease usually resolves within a few weeks. In this process, painkillers can be prescribed to reduce the patient's pain.
Meningitis; It can lead to very serious problems such as hearing loss, memory problems, seizures, brain damage, shock and death. For this reason, people who show symptoms of meningitis should apply to the nearest health center without wasting time. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease reduces the possibility of complications.
Meningitis and its vaccine. You can ask the expert team of Grup Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the issues you are wondering about, and you can ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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