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BIO220
Meningitis
Rachel Anderson
Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Transmission
a. Exchange of throat or respiratory secretions (kissing)
b. Close contact
Symptoms
a. High fever
b. Severe headache
c. Stiff neck
d. Vomiting or nausea
e. Confusion
f. Seizures
g. Sleepiness
h. Skin rash
Treatment
a. Intravenous antibiotics
b. Cortisone-like medications
c. Bed rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications
Prevention
a. Good hygiene
b. Washing hands
c. Covering your mouth
d. Immunization
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges surround the brain and
spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral infection, but can be caused by several
different things. Viral meningitis is usually mild and short-lived. Enteroviruses are responsible
for 30 percent of viral meningitis cases in America. Several strains of bacteria can cause
meningitis, including Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus), which is the most common
cause of bacterial meningitis; Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus), which usually occurs
when upper respiratory infection bacteria enter the blood stream; Haemophilus influenza
(haemophilus), which used to be the leading cause but is less common now because of
vaccinations; and Listeria monocytogenes (listeria), which usually only infects pregnant women,
newborns, and the elderly. Chronic meningitis is a rare type of meningitis that happens when
slow-growing organisms invade the meninges. Fungal meningitis is rare and mimics bacterial
meningitis. It causes chronic meningitis and affects people with immune disorders such as AIDS.
Meningitis also can be caused by drug allergies, certain cancers, and inflammatory diseases like
lupus.
Meningitis is usually caused by the exchange of throat or respiratory secretions or close
contact. Spit is a secretion that can carry meningitis, so obviously meningitis can be caused by
kissing. It can also be spread by coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils such as forks and
spoons, a toothbrush, or even a cigarette. Roommates or family members that live in the same
house are at risk for meningitis if a member of the household contracts meningitis. There are
also several risk factors for meningitis. Age is a risk factor because most cases of viral meningitis
are in children five years old and younger. Living in a community setting such as a college
residence hall, a boarding school, or on a military base can raise the risk of contracting
meningitis because of constant close contact with other people. Pregnant women and people
working with animals are more likely to contract listeriosis, which is an infection caused by
listeria bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis. People with a compromised immune
system because of factors such as AIDS, diabetes, use of immunosuppressant drugs, or have
had a spleen removal are more susceptible to meningitis.
The symptoms of meningitis are very similar to symptoms of influenza, commonly
known as the flu. Symptoms are different in people over the age of twelve and newborns. In
people older than twelve, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting,
nausea, seizures, difficulty concentrating, confusion, sleepiness, difficulty waking up, sensitivity
to light, lack of interest in drinking and eating, and a skin rash. Newborns probably will not have
the symptoms of a severe headache and stiff neck. Their symptoms include high fever, constant
crying, excessive sleepiness, irritability, inactivity, sluggishness, poor feeding, a bulge in the soft
spot-also called the fontanel-on top of the baby’s head, stiffness in the baby’s body and neck,
and seizures.
Medical care should be sought right away if signs or symptoms of meningitis are
noticed. There is no way to know what kind of meningitis someone has without a doctor
performing spinal fluid testing. Viral meningitis usually improves without treatment within a
few days. It cannot be treated by antibiotics. It is treated by bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids,
and taking over-the-counter pain medications for reducing the high fever and relieving body
aches. The treatments for fungal meningitis can cause serious side effects, so doctors must be
certain the meningitis is caused by a fungus before treating. Meningitis due to an autoimmune
disorders or allergies can be treated with medications that are like cortisones, but sometimes
the meningitis can resolve on its own. Meningitis caused by cancer must be treated by therapy
for the specific type of cancer.
Bacterial meningitis, however, is very serious and must be treated by prompt treatment
with antibiotics or serious complications can occur. Delayed treatment can cause permanent
brain damage and sometimes even death within a few days. Treatment of bacterial meningitis
is normally treated by intravenous drugs and cortisone-like medications. The type of bacteria
causing the meningitis infection determines the antibiotic or combination of antibiotics used to
treat it. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be used until the exact cause of the meningitis can be
determined and a narrow spectrum drug can be prescribed. Several symptoms of bacterial
meningitis may have to be treated as well, such as brain swelling, shock, convulsions, or
dehydration. The sinuses, which are the bones behind the outer ear that are connected to the
middle ear, may become infected and have to be drained.
The prevention of meningitis is usually fairly simple. Since meningitis is spread through
secretions or direct contact, good hygiene can go a long way in preventing meningitis. Washing
your hands, especially before eating, after using the toilet, after spending time in public places,
and after petting animals that may carry the bacteria, is very important. Always remember to
cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze in order to prevent the spreading of germs and
bacteria. Staying healthy can keep your immune system working as it should to prevent
infections such as meningitis. Ways to stay healthy include sleeping as much as you should,
regular exercise, and a healthy diet filled with enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and
protein. Pregnant women should be extra careful about the foods they eat by making sure all
meat is cooked thoroughly and avoiding cheeses made with unpasteurized milk.
Fortunately, several forms of bacterial meningitis are now prevented by vaccinations.
Very young children are regularly vaccinated for Haemophilus influenza type b (the Hib vaccine)
and Pneumococcal conjugate (the PCV7 vaccine) in the United States. Older children and adults
who are have weakened immune systems because of heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell
anemia can be vaccinated for Pneumococcal polysaccharide meningitis (the PPSV vaccine).
People who have a high risk of contracting meningitis or have been exposed to the disease can
be given a vaccine for Meningococcal conjugate meningitis (the MCV4 vaccine).
Several famous people have contracted meningitis. Helen Keller may have lost her
hearing and sight to meningitis, but historians are not certain. The Spanish painter Fransisco de
Goya is also believed to have had it, and he went deaf as well. Playwright Oscar Wilde (“The
Importance of Being Earnest”) died from meningitis. The most current celebrity with meningitis
is actor Brad Pitt, who contracted a mild case of viral meningitis after a trip overseas to
Ethiopia.
References
Goldsmith, C. (2007). Meningitis. 21st Century Books.
CDC. (2012, March 15). Meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved
on April 1, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html.
Mayo Clinic. (2011, April 29). Meningitis. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on April 1, 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meningitis/DS00118.