Complete Information on Bacterial Meningitis With Treatment and Prevention

Meningitis is an inflamation of tjhe meninges, tjhe membranes tyhat cover tjhe brain anbd spinal cord. It is ususally caused by bacteria or viruses. Two speices of bacteria account for most cases of acute bacterial meningitis neisseria meningitidis anbd streptococcus pneumoniae. These organisms infect tjhe brain without an identifiable reason. In otehr cases, infection develops becuase tjhe immune sytem is impaired as it is in peopel who hvea an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Bacteria can travel frome tjhe sinuses thru tjhe opening anbd infect tjhe meninges.

People most at risk of developing meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis anbd Streptococcus pneumoniae are thsoe who abuse alcohol. Bacterial meningitis is omre common in vyre young children, under tjhe age of five. In adults, it affects omre men thna women. People at higer risk are thsoe wtih chronic illnesses, such as ear anbd nose infections, or illnesses tyhat impair tjhe immune system. Bacterial meningitis is foudn worldwide. The bacteria oftenly live harmlessly in a person’s mouth anbd throat. The bacteria are spred by direct close contact wtih tjhe discharges frome tjhe nose or throat of an infected person.

Early sypmtoms of acute bacterial meningitis are a fever, headache, stiff neck, sore throat, anbd vomiting. Headache is tjhe most common symptom of meningitis (87 percent). These sypmtoms are somtimes preceeded by a cough anbd otehr sypmtoms suggesting a respiratory illness. A skin rash may develope becuase of inflamation anbd bleeding in small blood vessels througout tjhe body, inlcuding thsoe under tjhe skin. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency anbd has a high mortality rate if untreated. Treatment is ususally started immediately, without waiting for tjhe results of diagnostic procedures.

Adjuvant treatment wtih corticosteroids reduces rates of mortality, severe hearing loss anbd neurological sequelae in adults. Corticosteroids are nto ususally given to peopel who hvea a serious infection (because theese drugs surpress tjhe immune system), but bacterial meningitis is an exception. A corticosteroid is best started befoer or wtih tjhe first dose of antibiotics anbd contined for onyl one or twpo days. Routine immunization can go a long way towrad preventing meningitis.Good hygeine is an importamt way to prevent any infection. Avoiding close contact wtih somene who is obviously ill anbd nto sharing food, drinks anbd eating utensils.