| Meningitis can be very serious; as a matter of | | | | environments like military barracks and college |
| fact certain types of bacterial meningitis can be | | | | dormitories. |
| rapidly fatal without early treatment. It is one of | | | | In adults, Streptococcus pneumonia |
| the conditions considered to be a medical | | | | (pneumococcal) and Listeria are important causes. |
| emergency that is related to infectious diseases. | | | | The respiratory tract is the primary portal of |
| Just a little basic anatomy before I continue. The | | | | several of these organisms, hence factors that |
| brain and spinal cord have two protective | | | | predispose someone to pneumonia also do so |
| coverings; the outer bone part consisting of the | | | | with meningitis; alcoholism, diabetes, splenectomy |
| skull and spinal cord, and the inner three layers of | | | | and immunosuppression. |
| membranes called the meninges. | | | | In bacterial meningitis, the following symptoms are |
| Between and around the meninges are spaces, | | | | typical: high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, |
| most importantly for our discussion is the | | | | photophobia (sensitivity to light), skin rashes and |
| subarachnoid space. The subarachnoid space is | | | | seizures. Quick treatment is paramount to |
| where cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is found. | | | | prevent serious complications and death. |
| What is CSF? It is a fluid produced by the choroid | | | | Permanent deafness, neurological problems and |
| plexus. It provides buoyancy and cushioning for | | | | hydrocephalus are all sequelae. |
| the brain, it carries nutrients and cleanses waste | | | | Chronic meningitis is a frequent problem in those |
| from around the brain and spinal cord and helps | | | | people that are immunocompromised. Unlike acute |
| the brain monitor the internal environment. | | | | bacterial meningitis, the chronic form may persist |
| So what is meningitis? It is an infection within the | | | | for long periods of time and are frequently the |
| subarachnoid space or throughout the meninges. | | | | result of a slower growing organism like a fungus. |
| Depending on the offending organism, meningitis is | | | | Cryptococcus neoformans is a common cause of |
| considered either septic (bacterial) or aseptic | | | | chronic meningitis. |
| (viral). | | | | Aseptic meningitis is associated with viral infections |
| How do microorganisms find their way to the | | | | and is usually self-limiting. Some symptoms are like |
| central nervous system (CNS)? There are four | | | | those in bacterial meningitis. Enteroviruses are by |
| routes of infection:o Bloodborne | | | | far the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. |
| The organism in the bloodstream gets through | | | | Meningitis is diagnosed by staining and culturing |
| the defense mechanism known as the blood-brain | | | | CSF for the offending bacteria. In addition, |
| barrier. This is the most common way and not | | | | chemical determination of glucose and protein |
| very well understood.o From an infected site | | | | concentration is useful indicators. The CSF is |
| close to the CNS | | | | collected by means of a spinal tap. |
| Infections from the middle ear or sinuses that is | | | | Can meningitis be prevented? Some of the |
| close to or contiguous to the CNS.o The result of | | | | organisms that cause meningitis are spread via |
| surgery or trauma that may allow organisms into | | | | respiratory means. If you have close contact with |
| the CNS.o Certain viruses like rabies or herpes | | | | someone with the disease, your risk is increased. |
| simplex can travel along nerves to the brain. | | | | Handwashing is the key to preventing just about |
| Certain factors can make you more susceptible | | | | every contagious disease. Avoid certain types of |
| to meningitis. First is age. Due to a immature | | | | foods if you are pregnant or |
| immune system, newborns are at greater risk. | | | | immunocompromised because of the risk of |
| They usually pick up the organism from the | | | | Listeria. |
| colonized vaginal tract of the mother. Group B | | | | Besides the previously mentioned vaccination for |
| streptococci, E.coli and other gram negative rods | | | | Haemophilus influenza type B, there is also a |
| and Listeria are the main causes of bacterial | | | | vaccine for pneumococcal meningitis as part of |
| meningitis in the newborn. | | | | the immunization schedule for children less than |
| Haemphilus influenza type B was once the number | | | | two. |
| one cause of meningitis in children under 6. But | | | | For adults older than 65, there is a pneumococcal |
| since the introduction of the Hib vaccine, it has | | | | vaccine that is recommended by the CDC. |
| been extremely rare. | | | | For children ages 11-18, there is a vaccine for |
| Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) are | | | | meningococcal meningitis. For your child to live in a |
| associated with young adults particularly in close | | | | college dormitory it is mandatory. |