Bacterial Meningitis
What is it?
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the
covering of the brain and spinal cord, called the
meninges, and is caused by bacteria. Bacterial
meningitis is life-threatening and requires
immediate medical attention.
Who gets it?
Bacterial meningitis is more common in very
young children, under the age of five. In adults,
it affects more men than women. People at higher
risk are those with chronic illnesses, such as ear
and nose infections, or illnesses that impair the
immune system.
What causes it?
The bacteria that cause most cases of bacterial
meningitis are normally present in our environment
and can live in our noses and respiratory systems
without causing any problems. However, this
bacteria can infect the brain by spreading from an
infection in a nearby part of the body, such as
from a sinus infection, or can be carried to the
brain by the blood. It can also enter the brain
after a head injury, such as a skull fracture.
People with bacterial meningitis are contagious
anywhere from two days to two weeks, depending on
the type of bacteria that causes the infection.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms of bacterial meningitis include
high fever, headache, chills, and stiff neck. The
neck is so stiff that the patient cannot lower the
chin to the chest. Other symptoms may include
nausea and vomiting, confusion, irritability, and
a red and purple skin rash. Very young children
will be irritable and difficult to feed, extremely
sleepy or difficult to wake, will cry
inconsolably, and may have seizures. Infants may
not have stiff neck. In some cases, especially
where treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis
can cause brain damage that results in permanent
disabilities and even death.
How is it diagnosed?
Because recovery depends upon quick treatment,
a fast diagnosis is extremely important. Your
doctor will evaluate your or your child's
symptoms, looking for specific signs such as a
skin rash and stiff neck. To confirm the
diagnosis, your doctor will need to do a lumbar
puncture, also known as a spinal tap, to withdraw
some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and check for a
bacterial infection. Before the fluid is
withdrawn, an area in the lower back is numbed
with a local anesthetic. Then, a long, hollow
needle is inserted into the spinal canal to
withdraw the fluid. If the symptoms are caused by
bacteria, the fluid will generally look cloudy.
The fluid will also be examined under a microscope
and sent to a laboratory where it will be grown
(cultured) so the specific bacteria can be
identified. Other tests that may be done include
blood and urine tests and a computed tomography
(CT) scan of the head.
What is the treatment?
Your doctor may start antibiotic treatment even
before test results are in if he or she strongly
suspects bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics are
given in a hospital through an intravenous (IV)
line, which means it is through a needle inserted
in a vein. IV antibiotics are given for up to two
weeks. You or your child will also be given fluids
to replace those lost through fever and vomiting.
Recovery is usually complete, especially in
children, if the infection is treated within the
first few hours. Because bacterial meningitis is
contagious, patients should not resume normal
activities until they have approval from their
doctor. If you have been exposed to bacterial
meningitis, your doctor may give you antibiotics
to help prevent the infection.
Self-care tips
Because immediate treatment is so important to
recovery, seek medical treatment for yourself or
your child as soon as you observe any symptoms of
bacterial meningitis, especially high fever
combined with headache, lethargy, and stiff neck.
If you or your child has bacterial meningitis, you
should wash your hands frequently to avoid passing
the infection on to others. Do not share food or
eating utensils, and avoid contact with bodily
fluids, such as saliva. Children should routinely
be immunized with the Hemophilus influenzae type B
vaccine, which can help prevent a common type of
childhood meningitis. There is also a vaccine
available that can prevent some forms of
meningitis. This is commonly given to people who
live in areas where there are epidemics of
bacterial meningitis.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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