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Meningitis
by Hisinta Whorton
March 23, 2010
History & Epidemiology
 Epidemic meningitis is a
relatively recent
phenomenon
 The first recorded major
outbreak occurred in
Geneva in 1805
 Several other epidemics
in Europe and the
United States were
described shortly
afterward, and the first
report of an epidemic in
Africa appeared in 1840
What is Meningitis?
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Meningitis is an inflammation of the
membranes that cover the brain and
spinal cord
People sometimes refer to it as
spinal meningitis. Meningitis is
usually caused by a viral or bacterial
infection. Knowing whether
meningitis is caused by a virus or
bacterium is important because the
severity of illness and the treatment
differ depending on the cause
Viral meningitis is generally less
severe and clears up without
specific treatment. But bacterial
meningitis can be quite severe and
may result in brain damage, hearing
loss, or learning disabilities
Fungal meningitis can be caused
due to exposure to environments
likely to contain fungal elements
Types of Meningitis
 Aseptic (Fungi, Mycobacteria,Virus,Cancer)
 Cryptococcal (fungus:Cryptococcus neoformans)
 Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter
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aerogenes)
Haemophilus influenza (Haemophilus influenzae)
Carcinomatous (meningitis due to cancer)
Meningococcal (Neisseria meningitidis)
Pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae )
Staphylococcal (Staphylococcus aureus)
Syphilitic aseptic (Treponema pallidum)
Tuberculous (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
Signs & Symptoms
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High fever
Headache, and stiff neck.
Nausea
Vomiting
Discomfort looking into bright
lights
Confusion
Sleepiness
Appear to be slow
Inactive
Irritable
Feeding poorly
Seizures
Diagnosis
 The diagnosis is usually
made by growing bacteria
from a sample of spinal fluid
 The spinal fluid is obtained
by performing a spinal tap, in
which a needle is inserted
into an area in the lower
back where fluid in the spinal
canal can be collected
 Identification of the type of
bacteria responsible is
important for selection of
correct antibiotics
Treatment & Prevention
 Acute bacterial meningitis is a true medical
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emergency, and requires immediate treatment in a
hospital
Viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than
bacterial meningitis
Haemophilus vaccine (HiB vaccine) in children will
help prevent one type of meningitis
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is now a
routine childhood immunization
Household members and others in close contact with
people who have meningococcal meningitis should
receive preventive antibiotics to avoid becoming
infected themselves
Treatment & Prevention cont’d
 Wash your hands thoroughly and often
 Clean contaminated surfaces (e.g.
doorknobs, TV remote control)
 Cover your cough
 Avoid kissing or sharing a drinking glass,
eating utensil, lipstick, or other such items
with sick people or with others when you are
sick
 Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other
insects
Sources
 http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html
 https://health.google.com/health/ref/Meningiti
s#Treatment
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningitis