What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the
brain and spinal cord—also called the meninges. It
can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and
bacteria. Viral (aseptic) meningitis is common; most
people recover fully. Medical management of viral
meningitis are very rare. Bacterial meningitis is
very serious and may involve complicated medical,
surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support
management.
There are tow common types of bacteria that cause
meningitis:
Strep pneumoniae causes pneumococcal meningitis;
there are over 80 subtypes that cause illness
Nelsseria meningitides—meningococcal meningitis;
there are 5 subtypes that cause serious illness – A,
B, C, Y, W-135
What are the symptoms?
Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The
illness may develop over one or two days, but it can
also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not
everyone with meningitis will have the same
symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with
meningitis may have:
Severe headache
High temperature
Vomiting
Sensitivity to bright lights
Neck stiffness, joints pains
Drowsiness or confusion
* In both children and adults, there
may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises
caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur
anywhere on the body. They are a sign of blood
poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with
meningitis, particularly the meningococcal strain.
How serious is bacterial meningitis?
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause
meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the
common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by
casual contact or by simply breathing the air where
a person with meningitis has been. The germs live
naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but
they do not live for long outside the body. They are
spread when people exchange saliva (such as by
kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or
cigarettes).
The bacteria rarely overcomes the body’s immune
system and causes meningitis or another serious
illness.
What is the risk of getting bacterial meningitis?
The risk of getting bacterial meningitis in all age
groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000 population per
year. However, the highest risk group for the most
serious form of the disease, meningococcal
meningitis, is highest among children 2 to 18 years
old.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually based on a combination of
clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal
fluid and blood. Spinal fluid is obtained by a
lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Do not share food, drinks utensils, toothbrushes, or
cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.
Vaccines against pneumoccoccal disease are
recommended both for young children and adults over
64. A vaccine against four meningococcal serogroups
(A, C, Y, W-135) is available. These four groups
cause the majority of meningococcal cases in the
United States. This vaccine is recommended y some
groups for college students, particularly freshmen
living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is
safe and effective (85-90%). It can cause mild side
effects such as redness and pain at the injection
site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops
within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is given and
lasts for up to 5 years.
What you should do if you think you or a friend
might have bacterial meningitis?
Seek prompt medical attention.
For more information
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at
your local or regional health department office are
excellent sources for information on all
communicable diseases. You may also call your local
health department or Regional Texas Department of
Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine.
Additional information may also be found at the web
sites for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention: www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of
Health: www.tdh.state.tx.us.
