Meningitis - Handy Facts

Meningitis refers to an inflammation of the meninges, this is the membrane that covers the spinal cord and the brain. It can be caused by a fungus, bacteria or virus although other microorganisms can also be responsible as well as certain drugs. The condition can be life-threatening due to the proximity of the spinal cord and the brain to the inflammation.

Symptoms of Menginitis

In adults the most common signs of this condition include severe headache which tends to occur in 90 percent of all bacterial cases. This is followed by rigidity in the neck, high fever and altered mental status. Other common symptoms are intolerance of bright light known as photophobia and phonophobia which is intolerance to loud noises. Children do not necessarily exhibit the above signs but may appear generally unwell and irritable. The soft spot on top of the baby’s head is likely to bulge in children less than 6 months old. Infected children also have cold extremities, leg pain and unusual skin color.

Meningococcal Meningitis

This is a bacterial infection caused by neisseria meningitides and is usually different from other variants of the disease caused by other microorganisms since it presents with a quick spreading petenchial rash. This rash consists of numerous purple or red spots on lower extremities, conjunctiva, mucous membranes and soles of the feet as well as palms of the hands.

Viral Infections

These are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2, enteroviruses, varicella zoster, HIV and mumps virus.

Fungal

There are several factors that lead to fungal infections such as use of immune suppressing drugs especially after an organ transplantation, medical contamination and HIV/AIDS.

Aseptic Meningitis is an infection that is not linked to the usual causes. The term aseptic is actually a misnomer to imply lack of infection, however most cases of aseptic infections present as those caused by viruses. This condition has been known to arise as result of side effects caused by medical drugs. Home remedies for meningitis include giving the patient garlic juice and applying a hot fomentation to the spine every two hours.

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