What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This condition can be caused by several different organisms such as bacteria and viruses. VIRAL MENINGITIS is more common and usually occurs in the late Summer and early Fall. Sometimes, abdominal discomfort, chest pain, or a rash will be present. The central nervous system may be involved with possible alteration of consciousness or paralysis; however, these more serious conditions are infrequent. Most cases of viral meningitis run a short, uneventful course. Since this is a virus (like the common cold), antibiotics are not effective. Likewise, persons who have had contact with viral meningitis patients do not require any treatment. BACTERIAL MENINGITIS is a rare disease, but can be very serious and requires treatment with antibiotics. It can occur sporadically throughout the year. One form of bacterial meningitis is MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS. This form can cause very grave illness. It requires early dia
Meningitis means inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord called the meninges (pronounced: muh-nin-jeez). It often occurs when an infection elsewhere in the body spreads through the blood and into the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that circulates in the spaces in and around the brain and spinal cord). People can get meningitis at any age. There are several types of meningitis, and their severity and treatment can vary depending on which type a person has. Most cases of meningitis are caused by viruses (viral meningitis) or bacteria (bacterial meningitis), but fungi and other organisms can also cause infectious meningitis. Some cases of meningitis result from head injuries, certain cancers or other diseases, or reactions to medications. Viral meningitis is caused by such viruses as enteroviruses, which are very common in summer and early fall. These viruses can spread through contact with saliva, mucus, or feces (poop). That doesn’t mean that people need to k
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. To
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, or death. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis, because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influe
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a number of infectious agents including viruses and bacteria. The type of meningitis and its cause can only be determined by a physician using laboratory test results. Viral meningitis (also called aseptic meningitis) is the most common type of meningitis and is less severe than bacterial meningitis. In Illinois, an average of 600 cases of aseptic meningitis are reported annually, with most occurring in late summer and early autumn. The majority of cases of aseptic meningitis are due to viruses called enteroviruses that can infect the stomach and small intestine. A small number of cases are caused by different viruses, which can be transmitted by infected mosquitos; these are called arboviruses. Fatal cases of viral meningitis are rare and complete recovery is the rule. Bacterial meningitis is often more severe than aseptic meningitis, particularly in infants and the elderly. Before
