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Meningitis
Sometimes referred to as spinal meningitis, meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
This is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing which virus it is becomes very important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ.
Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.
Symptoms:
The following are signs of meningitis, which may develop over several
hours or may take 1 to 2 days, in anyone over the age of two years old:
- High fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea/vomiting
- Discomfort looking into bright lights
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
In newborns and small infants, the symptoms include fever, headache, and stiffness in the neck. These symptoms may obviously be hard to detect in a newborn or may be absent altogether. The infant may behave in the following manner:
- Appear slow or inactive
- Be irritable
- Vomiting
- Feeding poorly
As the disease progresses, seizures may occur in persons of any age group.
Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious because the bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. However, none of these bacteria are as contagious as things like the common cold or flu. The bacteria are also not spread through casual contact or breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
Treatment and Prevention:
Bacterial meningitis can be treated by using effective antibodies. It
is extremely important that treatment be started early in the course of
the disease.
There are also vaccines available for the different strains of meningitis, which is why it is important to get immediate attention and know which bacteria have caused it.
The types of diseases vary with each destination. After browsing through this site you may also call or email Travel Health Help for more detailed information: 1-888-621-3952
