Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis, which you get when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to stroke and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections can cause bacterial meningitis. Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people whose bodies have trouble fighting infections. Meningitis can progress rapidly. You should seek medical care quickly if you have: -- A sudden fever -- A severe headache -- A stiff neck

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Meningitis
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2. Overview
Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that
surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the
meninges. There are several types of meningitis.
The most common is viral meningitis, which you
get when a virus enters the body through the nose
or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial
meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually
starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection.
It can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to
stroke and brain damage. It can also harm other
organ
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3. Overview
Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common
in people whose bodies have trouble fighting
infections. Meningitis can progress rapidly. You
should seek medical care quickly if you have:
-- A sudden fever
-- A severe headache
-- A stiff neck
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4. Symptoms
• High fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Nausea
• Vomiting
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5. Symptoms
• Difficulty seeing in bright light
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Seizures
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6. Diagnosis
Early diagnosis and treatment of meningitis are
very important in order to limit serious
complications. If symptoms occur, the patient
should see a doctor immediately. The doctor
suspects a diagnosis of meningitis after obtaining a
detailed medical history and doing a physical
examination.
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7. Diagnosis
Headache, neck stiffness and increased sleepiness
are common signs of meningitis. A sample of spinal
fluid is grown in a lab to see if the meningitis
bacteria exist. If so, the final diagnosis is made.
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8. Treatment
There are a number of antibiotics that treat
bacterial meningitis. However, it is important that
treatment is started in early in the course of the
disease. Antibiotic treatment for most common
types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk
of dying from meningitis to below 15%, although
the risk is higher among the elderly.
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9. Treatment
The antibiotics are given intravenously and are
usually started as soon as the diagnosis is
suspected. Once the bacteria causing the specific
attack are identified, the antibiotics can be
changed if needed.
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10. Causes
Bacteria and viruses are organisms that can infect
the meninges and CSF. When a virus infects the
CSF, it is called viral meningitis. When bacteria
infect the CSF, it is called bacterial meningitis.
Bacteria are bigger than viruses under a
microscope.
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11. Causes
It is important to know whether meningitis is
caused by a virus or bacterium so it can be
properly treated. Viral meningitis is usually less
severe and may need no specific treatment.
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