menigites causes ,symptoms ,treatment, prevention , types

1. Meningitis

2. What is Meningitis?
 Infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds
the brain
 Viral or Bacterial
 Etiology is important because of the seriousness of the illness and the
treatment needed

3. Viral Meningitis
 Usually clears up in a week or two with no specific treatment
 Common; rarely serious infection of fluid in the spinal cord or fluid
that surrounds the brain
 Also called aseptic meningitis

4. Causes of Viral Meningitis
 Caused by a number of different viruses
 mosquito-borne viruses
 occasionally seen after strep throat in young adults
 common intestinal viruses account for half of U.S. cases
per year

5. Signs and Symptoms
 Usually occur one week after exposure
 Fever
 Headache
 Stiff neck
 Tiredness
 Rash
 Sore Throat
 Vomiting

6. Treatment and Prevention
 No specific treatment for viral meningitis
 Antibiotics do not work on viruses
 Pay careful attention to personal hygiene
 Good hand-washing helps prevent spread of infection
and viruses

7. Bacterial Meningitis
 A serious infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and
the fluid that surrounds the brain
 Results from bacterial invasion of membrane that covers
the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
 Meninges become swollen and inflamed, leading to
classic s/s of meningitis

8. Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
 Three common bacteria:
 Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
 Neisseria meningitidis
 Causes Meningococcal Meningitis
 Streptococcus pneumoniae
 Causes Pneumococcal Meningitis

9. How do people get Bacterial
Meningitis?
 Bacteria are spread through direct contact with
secretions from the nose or throat of an infected person
 None of the bacteria that cause meningitis are very
contagious
 Not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the
same air where the person infected has been

10. Signs and Symptoms
Under Age 2
 Fever
 Headache
 Stiff neck
 Inactivity
 Vomiting
 Poor feeding
 Seizures
 May be hard to detect in
infants
Over age 2
 High fever
 Headache
 Stiff neck
 Nausea and vomiting
 Sensitivity to light
 Confusion
 Sleepiness
 Petechiae that spreads
rapidly
 seizures

11. Diagnosis & Treatment
 Diagnosed via lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
 Check for bacterial growth in the spinal fluid
 Antibiotic administration based on bacteria found
 Close contacts identified and treated also
 Early diagnosis and treatment important

12. Potential Complications
 Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to brain
damage, coma, and death
 Survivors can suffer long-term hearing loss, mental
retardation, paralysis, and seizures

13. Vaccinations
 Hib vaccine (3 doses by
6 months of age and a
booster between 12-18
months of age)
 Meningococcal vaccine
not routinely given to
civilians in U.S. because
most outbreaks occur in
Africa
 Pneumococcal vaccine
ineffective in persons
under age 2
 Recommended for all
persons over age 65
with certain medical
problems

14. Travel Precautions
 Check with your local health department if you are
planning to travel outside the country.
 If meningococcal vaccination is recommended or
required, it should be received at least one week before
departure if possible.

15. Source
 American College Health Association, Baltimore, MD
(2007) www.acha.org/meningitis
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007).
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal
_g.htm.