- As the most vital organ in the human body and center of the nervous system, the brain is protected by the skull, the meninges, and the cerebrospinal fluid. The meninges are layers of web-like tissues that cover the inside of the skull without coming into contact with the brain. In fact, the brain almost "floats" in the cerebrospinal fluid. The cells of the brain are so delicate that any contact with the meninges or the skull may cause damage.
- Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges because of infection. Infection of the meninges can be viral or bacterial. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enteroviruses are the most common viruses that cause meningitis, and Neisseria meningitidis is the most common bacterial cause. Viruses and bacteria may travel to the meninges through the blood, or they may migrate from the nasal passages to the cranial cavity.
- Some serious complications may happen when the brain is damaged by the inflamed meninges. This happens when the space between the brain and the meninges is reduced, and there is contact between the two. Because the meninges extend beyond the brain and into the spinal cord, a stiff neck or pain in the back may be experienced by someone with meningitis along with fever, headache, nausea, and behavioral changes.
If there is severe trauma to the brain from meningitis, long-term complications like deafness, vision problems, or problems with fine motor movement may be experienced. In rare cases of meningitis from pneumococcus, a type of bacteria, the bacteria may migrate to the hands and feet and cause clots to develop in the extremities. This may lead to amputation of the limbs. Also, the high fever experienced with meningitis may cause damage to other organs. - Viral meningitis rarely requires any treatment beyond supportive therapy for the symptoms. On the other hand, bacterial meningitis requires intensive and immediate antibiotic therapy to prevent further complications. The type and dose of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing meningitis. To determine the cause, physicians will perform a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to extract some cerebrospinal fluid and check it for bacteria and white bloods cells (a sign of infection).
- Currently, there are vaccines against N. meningitides, Haemophiluus influenzae serotype b (Hib), and Streptococcus pneumonia, the three bacteria species which cause the most number of bacterial meningitis cases. Vaccines against common viral diseases also help prevent meningitis from those viruses. Proper hygiene goes a long way in preventing meningitis. In group settings, such as dorms and nursing homes, it is important not to share items which have come into contact with other people's saliva or nasal discharge. Those two body fluids carry a high load of meningococcal bacteria and are blamed for many of the reported meningitis outbreaks.
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