How Do You Get Meningitis?

Posted by Healthfitline On Saturday, December 1, 2012
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges of the brain. Meninges are the three  protective membranes of the brain; dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater that  enclose the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is classified into two types; Septic and Aseptic Meningitis. Septic Meningitis is caused by bacteria while Aseptic Meningitis is due to viral, fungi or secondary to other conditions, such as; HIV/AIDs, leukemia or lymphoma that weakens the immune system.

The most common causative agents of Meningitis in adults is the Neisseria Meningitidis  and Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Haemophilus Influenzae is a common cause in children who may not have received adequate immunization against the infection. 

How Do You Get Meningitis?
Meningitis is transmitted through;
  • Direct means - Such as during injuries or through invasive procedures.
  • Droplets - Secretions or droplets from infected individuals.
  • Opportunistic infections in people with compromised immunity like AIDs patients and as a complication of Lyme disease. 
 
The causative agent crosses the blood brain barrier, reaches the brain through the infected bloodstream and proliferates in the cerebral spinal fluid leading to meninges inflammation. In bacterial Meningitis, study of the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) demostrates increased white blood cells, increased protein and decreased glucose. 
 
Meningitis Risk Factors
  • Viral infections of the upper respiratory system.
  • Cigarette use
  • Ear infection (bacteria can cross over to the brain).
  • People with compromised immunity like HIV patients.
 
Meningitis Signs and Symptoms
The initial signs of Meningitis is headache and fever. The temperature constantly remains high during illness, accompanied by a throbbing or a steady headache due to irritation of the meninges.
 
Other  signs and symptoms of Meningitis are;
  • Stiff neck - Severe pain if the neck is flexed.
  • Positive Kernig's Sign - When a patient is lying on the back with the knee flexed, if you try to extend the knee beyond 135 degree, the patient will feel pain.
  • Positive Brudzinski's Sign - When you flex the head or the neck of the patient, the hips and the knee are also automatically flexed.
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Rash occurs in about half of patients suffering from Neisseria Meningitidis infections.
  • Alteration in the level of consciousness (disorientation).
  • Seizure occuring in about 30% of adults with Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
 
Diagnosis of Meningitis
  • Clinical manifestation that suggests meningitis.
  • Bacterial culture
  • Gram staining of the cerebral spinal fluid.
  • Blood tests
 
How to Treat Meningitis
The effectiveness of the treatment of meningitis depends on how early the infection is caught and prompt adminsitration of right antibiotics that will be able to cross the brain barrier on time to stop the inflammation or multiplication of the bacteria. Commonly used antibiotics is Penicillin class of antibiotics and corticosteroids like Dexamethasone.  Shock, dehydration is treated with fluid replacement and Seizure precaution is initiated.
 
Meningitis Prevention
  • Vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis in high risk population.
  • Maintaining isolation of identified active cases.
  • People who have come into close contact with patients of Meningococcal Meningitis need to be treated with antimicrobial for prophylaxis.
  • Children need to be vaccinated against H. Influenzae and S. Pneumoniae.
  • Minimizing of invasive procedures that can lead to infection. 
Labels: Communicable Disease, home, Meningitis

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