Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. How do people get meningitis? Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries. Symptoms of meningitis, septicaemia and meningococcal disease include: a high temperature. cold hands and feet. vomiting. confusion. breathing quickly. muscle and joint pain. pale, mottled or blotchy skin. spots or a rash.

1. Meningitis
 Meningitis is a condition in which the meninges gets inflamed and damaged. Meninges are
three layers (dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater) of protective tissue which surround
the brain.
 Meningitis is caused by an infection of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or the meninges.
Cerebrospinal fluid is a fluid that is primarily produced in the ventricles of the brain and
present between the space of arachnoid and pia mater
 Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the meninges. Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
are the common cause of meningitis, but it can also be a result of an injury, cancer or certain
medications.
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2. Causative agents
• Meningitis is mostly caused when the
microorganisms, such as bacteria, virus,
fungus or parasite enters the bloodstream and
reaches the brain and spinal cord. These
organisms settle inside the cerebrospinal fluid
or the meninges and develop an advanced
infection
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3. Types
• Based on the type of organisms that causes infection, meningitis is of the following types:
• Bacterial Meningitis:
• Bacterial meningitis is caused due to bacterial infection. It is a life-threatening condition and can
spread from one person to another. Bacterial meningitis usually occurs when the bacteria enters the
bloodstream and reaches the brain and the spinal cord.
• Bacterial meningitis if left untreated may lead to stroke, brain damage, hearing loss, paralysis and
ultimately death. Haemophilus influenza, Neisseria meningitides, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are
the most common form of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis.
• Viral Meningitis:
• Viral meningitis is mostly caused due to enterovirus. It can also occur due to other viruses, such as
measles, chicken pox, and mumps.
• Fungal Meningitis:
• Fungal meningitis is a rare condition that occurs due to the entry of fungus in the bloodstream. Fungal
meningitis is caused when the person inhales fungal spores from the contaminated soil or from the
bird or bats droppings.
• Parasitic Meningitis:
• Parasitic meningitis is a fatal and rarest form of meningitis. It is mostly caused by the
parasite Naegleria fowleri.
• Non-infectious Meningitis:
• Non-infectious meningitis is caused by certain medical conditions, such as cancer, brain surgery, lupus,
and head injury. Medications, such as antibiotics (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin) and
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also cause non-infectious meningitis.
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4. Clinical features
• The symptoms of meningitis depend on the age of a person and the type of
meningitis.
• Stiffness of neck
• Loss of appetite
• Sleepiness
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe headache
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Skin rash
• Difficulty in concentratin
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5. signs
• Signs of Meningitis in Newborns and Infants:
• Constant crying
• High fever
• Jaundice
• Stiffness in the body and neck
• Sleepiness
• Swelling of fontanel region (soft spot on a
baby’s head
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6. Risk factor
• Factors that increase the risk of meningitis include:
• An incomplete course of vaccination: An individual who has not completed the
course of vaccination is at increased risk of developing meningitis.
• Age: Meningitis mostly occur in children below the age of five years and individuals
older than 60 years.
• Suppressed immune system: The risk of meningitis in more in the individuals
having certain conditions that suppress the immune system, such as:
• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Psoriasis
• Type-1 diabetes
• Individuals using immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy
areat increased risk of meningitis. Removal of the spleen also increases the risk of
meningitis.
• Living and working in crowded areas:
• Individuals living and working in crowded areas are at increased risk of meningitis.
This is because the risk of transfer of microorganism is more in large groups.
• Pregnancy:
• Pregnant women are at greater risk of developing meningitis associated with
listeriosis (an infection caused due to listeria bacteria).
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7. Diagnosis
• The doctor initiates the diagnosis by reviewing the medical history and signs and
symptoms of the individual. A physical examination is conducted to determine:
• Signs of infections near the head, ears and the spine
• Fever
• Heart rate
• Stiffness of neck
• Consciousness
• For confirming the diagnosis, the doctor recommends certain diagnostic tests, such
as:
• Lumbar puncture (a.k.a: spinal tap) is a diagnostic procedure in which the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected for examination. Microscopic examination is
done to identify the causative organism.
• A blood culture is done to determine the type of microorganism causing the
infection.
• Chest X-ray is performed to determine other infections, such as tuberculosis,
pneumonia, or other fungal infections, which may have led to meningitis.
• Imaging tests: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography
(CT) scan of the head is also performed to evaluate the inflammation or to
determine any complications such as brain abscess or sinusitis.
• Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid is done to give a confirmatory diagnosis of
meningitis and the treatment options for meningitis depend on the type of
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8. Treatment
The doctor initiates treatment depending on the cause and type of meningitis.
• Bacterial Meningitis:
• Bacterial meningitis should be treated immediately and requires
hospitalization. The doctor prescribes:
• Antibiotics to reduce the infections
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol is recommended to
reduce fever
• Anti-convulsants are prescribed if the patient has seizures
• Intravenous fluids are recommended to prevent dehydration
• Viral Meningitis:
• Viral meningitis improves on its own within several weeks. Viral meningitis can be
treated by:
• Taking adequate rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Using over-the-counter drugs for reducing fever and body pains
• In some cases, the doctor prescribes corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation of
the brain. The doctor may prescribe anti-convulsant drugs if the patient is
experiencing seizures
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9. Contd.
• Other Types of Meningitis:
• Fungal meningitis can be treated by using
anti-fungal agents.
• Non-infectious meningitis caused due to an
autoimmune disease or due to an allergy is
treated with corticosteroids. Usually in this
type of meningitis treatment is not required
as the condition gets cured on its own
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10. complications
• Meningitis may lead to severe, life-threatening complications if left untreated for
a long duration. It may lead to:
• Hearing impairment
• Vision loss
• Memory problems
• Arthritis
• Brain damage
• Hydrocephalus (Buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities of the brain)
• Migraine
• Seizures (sudden, uncontrolled movements of the body due to electrical
disturbances in the brain)
• Subdural empyema (accumulation of pus between the brain and the skull)
• Shock
• Gait problems
• Kidney failure
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11. Prevention and control
• Meningitis can be prevented by:
• Completing the course of vaccination
• Washing the hand before eating food and after
using the toilet
• Eating a healthy diet
• Taking adequate rest
• Exercising regularly
• Covering the mouth while coughing and sneezing
• Smoking cessation
• Avoiding contact with an infected person
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12. Thank you
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