Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Definition
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection that causes the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meninges) to become inflamed. Meningitis is also called inflammation of the lining of the brain. Some of the common symptoms of meningitis are headache, fever, and stiff neck (stiff neck).
This disease is most often caused by a viral infection, but it can also be caused by a bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection.
Inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by viruses is less likely than those caused by bacteria. Even so, some other cases can be life threatening.
Meanwhile, inflammation of the lining of the brain due to fungus is a rare type. This usually occurs in people who have a weak immune system.
In treating meningitis, it is important to know the cause of inflammation in the lining of the brain because each cause requires different treatment.
How common is inflammation of the lining of the brain?
Inflammation of the lining of the brain can occur at any age. However, meningitis most commonly affects people with weakened immune systems such as children, the elderly, and people with HIV / AIDS.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?
Initially, the health problems of meningitis were similar to flu symptoms. Then, these initial symptoms can develop within a few hours or several days.
According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, in general, the signs and symptoms of meningitis that you need to be aware of include:
- Fever and chills, especially in newborns and children
- Stiff neck (stiff neck)
- Changes in mental state such as frequent confusion
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures or sering fainted
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Skin rash
Most people with mild viral meningitis get better on their own in 7-10 days. Initial symptoms are similar to that of inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by bacteria.
However, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis are usually more severe and can lead to serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and difficulty focusing.
The bacterial infection that causes it can also be associated with other serious diseases, namely sepsis (blood poisoning). Without immediate treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek medical care immediately if you or someone in your family has signs and symptoms of meningitis.
Inflammation of the lining of the brain caused by viruses can indeed heal without treatment, but those caused by bacteria can be a serious condition.
The disease can progress very quickly and requires prompt antibiotic treatment to increase the chances of recovery.
Delaying treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage and other dangerous complications. There is no way to find out the cause of this disease other than consulting a doctor.
Cause
What causes meningitis?
Inflammation of the lining of the brain is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection that starts in other parts of your body, such as your ears, sinuses, and throat. Other causes of meningitis include fungi, parasites, chemicals, drugs, and tumors.
The types of meningitis are differentiated based on infection pathogens or germs that cause inflammation.
1. Bacterial meningitis
Some of the bacteria that cause inflammation of the lining of the brain are Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniac, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellasp., and Streptococcus group B.
These bacteria can be spread through breathing and throat secretions. Throat secretions mean droplets, or fluids that are expelled from the mouth. That is, this disease can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and even kissing.
In most cases, bacteria enter through your bloodstream in your sinuses, ears, or throat. The bacteria then travel to the brain via the bloodstream.
Bacterial infection of the lining of the opate can cause serious problems. Infected people generally need immediate medical care because they can be life-threatening or cause brain damage.
2. Viral meningitis
Viral meningitis is a more common condition than that caused by bacteria.
Inflammation of the lining of the brain due to viral infection can be caused by the Influenza virus, Herpes simplex virus, Varicella-zoster virus, West Nile virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, and viruses that cause measles.
3. Fungal meningitis
This type of meningitis is less common than those caused by bacteria or viruses. It is very rare for healthy people to get this condition.
The main cause is a fungus that infects the body and spreads through the bloodstream to the brain or spinal cord.
2015 study from the journal Clinical Microbilogy, mentioning the types of fungi that most commonly cause meningitis are:
- Cryptococcus
- Blastomyces
- Histoplasma
- Coccidioides
A person with immune problems, for example with AIDS, is more at risk of developing this type of inflammation of the lining of the brain.
4. Parasitic meningitis
Types of inflammation of the lining of the brain due to parasites are rarer than those caused by viral or bacterial infections. This condition is caused by parasites that are found in soil, feces, animals and food, such as snails, raw fish, poultry, or products.
One type of parasitic infection is rarer than others, namely eosinophilic meningitis. The three main parasites that cause inflammation of the lining of the brain are:
- Angiostrongylus cantonensis
- Baylisascaris procyonis
- Gnathostoma spinigerum
Inflammation of the lining of the brain due to parasites is not transmitted from person to person. These parasites infect animals or hide in food which humans then eat.
Amebic meningitis is a rare, life-threatening condition. This type is caused when one of several types of amoeba enters the body through your nose when you swim in a contaminated lake, river, or pond.
Parasites can destroy brain tissue and eventually cause hallucinations, seizures, and other serious symptoms.
5. Non-infectious meningitis
Meningitis of this type are those that are not caused by infection. This type is caused by other conditions, illnesses or medical treatments, such as:
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus
- Head injury
- Brain surgery
- Cancer
- Cancer treatment
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis (Tuberculous Meningitis)
Risk factors
What puts me at risk for meningitis?
Anyone can get this disease. However, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing meningitis, such as:
- Not doing vaccinations to prevent inflammation of the lining of the brain.
- Children younger than 5 years are more at risk of developing inflammation of the lining of the brain due to viruses.
- Have a weak immune system either due to certain diseases or medications.
- Recently had a bone marrow transplant
- Have diabetes mellitus.
- Pregnant women are more at risk of contracting listeriosis (an infection caused by the bacteria listeria, which can also cause inflammation of the lining of the brain).
Diagnosis
What are the usual tests for this disease?
Diagnosis of this disease is carried out through analysis of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.
The doctor will perform an examination that focuses on observing the condition of the ears, neck, head and nerve pathways along the spine.
Some of the medical tests that you need to take so that your doctor can get a more definitive diagnosis of meningitis include:
- Blood test to analyze the development of infectious pathogens that cause inflammation in the lining of the brain.
- CT or MRI imaging of the brain to determine the location of inflammation and swelling. A chest X-ray (X-ray) or CT-scan may be needed to detect infections in the lungs associated with inflammation of the lining of the brain.
- Lumbar puncture to collect spinal fluid (cerebrospinal) samples. Meningitis in this test result is indicated by an increase in white blood cells and protein and low sugar content in the cerebrospinal sample.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or antibody test through rapid test to look for conditions that are suspected of being caused by a virus.
Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for meningitis?
Treatment for meningitis depends on the infection causing it. For viral infections, the doctor will treat the symptoms and wait for the infection to clear up on its own.
However, antiviral drugs can be given to people with herpes meningitis.
Meanwhile, when it is caused by a bacterial infection, the patient may require hospitalization so that doctors and nurses can monitor him. Treatment of bacterial meningitis that doctors give is generally through intravenous antibiotics. Antibiotic drugs that are given such as:
According to inside reports Internal Medicine Journal, in dealing with swelling in the brain, doctors will treat it with corticosteroid drugs such as dexamethasone.
If seizure symptoms are frequent, anticolvus medication will also be given.
Fungal meningitis needs to be treated with an antifungal. Meanwhile, treatment of inflammation of the lining of the brain due to parasites aims to relieve symptoms.
The medicine given depends on the type of parasite causing it, but treatment through antibiotics can give effective results.
Home remedies
What are the home remedies and how to prevent meningitis?
Here are preventative and home remedies that can help you treat meningitis, as well as ways to prevent it:
- Understand the importance of bacterial inflammation of the lining of the brain. This condition is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention and treatment.
- Get plenty of fluids and rest.
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) drugstores to relieve fever and body aches, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- It is important to wash your hands to avoid exposure to infections.
- If you are pregnant, make sure to only eat foods that are thoroughly cooked.
- Avoid soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk (heating process to kill microbes in food).
- Getting the meningitis vaccine, especially for those of you who are among the most at risk.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Shmaefsky, Brian, and Hilary Babcock. Meningitis. Infobase Publishing, 2010.
Zueter, AM, & Zaiter, A. (2015). Infectious meningitis. Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, 37 (6), 43-51.https: //www.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2015.02.004
Young, N., & Thomas, M. (2018). Meningitis in adults: diagnosis and management. Internal Medicine Journal, 48 (11), 1294-1307. https://www.do.org/10.1111/imj.14102
Meningitis Research Foundation. (2020). Meningitis & Septicemia. Retrieved 27 February 2021, from https://www.meningitis.org/
CDC. (2020). Meningitis. Retrieved 13 November 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html
Mayo Clinic. (2020). Meningitis – Symptoms and causes. Retrieved 13 November 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350508
Mayo Clinic. (2020). Meningitis – Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved 13 November 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350514
