Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord due to a bacterial infection
Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis
The following features are indicative of Bacterial Meningitis:
sudden high fever
stiff neck
severe headache
headache with nausea or vomiting
confusion
seizures
sleepiness
difficulty in walking
no appetite or thirst
skin rash
poor feeding and irritability in children
photophobia
fatigue
agitation
bulging fontanelles in babies
rapid breathing
opisthotonos
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Common Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
The following are the most common causes of Bacterial Meningitis:
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
group B Streptococcus bacteria
Neisseria meningitidis bacteria
Haemophilus influenzae bacteria
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria
Risk Factors for Bacterial Meningitis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Bacterial Meningitis:
commonly found in infants
mostly found in overcrowded places
working with meningitis-causing pathogens
traveling to areas like sub-Saharan Africa, Mecca
Prevention of Bacterial Meningitis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Bacterial Meningitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
Neisseria meningitidis vaccination
Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) vaccination
healthy habits like avoiding smoke
Occurrence of Bacterial Meningitis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Bacterial Meningitis cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Bacterial Meningitis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Bacterial Meningitis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Bacterial Meningitis:
Blood cultures: To detect and study a particular bacteria
Computerized tomography (CT): To detect the swelling, inflammation or infections in head and other parts of body
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans: To detect the swelling or inflammation
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): To evaluate sugar level, protein and white blood cell count in cerebrospinal fluid
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification: To determine the specific cause and proper treatment
Doctor for Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis:
Infectious disease specialist
Neurologist
Pediatrician
Complications of Bacterial Meningitis if untreated
Yes, Bacterial Meningitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Bacterial Meningitis is left untreated:
brain damage
hearing loss
learning disabilities
sepsis
can be fatal
Medicines for Bacterial Meningitis
Below is the list of medicines used for Bacterial Meningitis:
Practice good hygiene: Don't share drinks, foods, straws, eating utensils, lip balms or toothbrushes with anyone else
Diet: Eat healthy food
Cover mouth: Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing
Smoking: Avoid cigarette smoke
Patient Support for Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis
The following actions may help Bacterial Meningitis patients:
Join support and advocacy groups: Help connecting with other patients who can provide valuable services
Time for Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Bacterial Meningitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 1 - 4 weeks
Is Bacterial Meningitis Infectious?
Yes, Bacterial Meningitis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
certain germs spread through food
mothers pass the bacteria to babies during labor or birth