What are the Causes of Meningitis?
Viral Meningitis
The vaccination programmes have destroyed the threat from many viruses which have caused the Viral Meningitis. For example, a vaccination which is called MMR vaccine which helps children with immunity against mumps which causes the Viral Meningitis within children.
However, there are still other viruses which can cause the Viral Meningitis and they are the following:
- Herpes Simplex Virus - Causes genital herpes and cold sores
- Enterviruses – Group of viruses which causes mild stomach infection
The infection can begin in one part of the body, such as the lungs or throat and then move into the blood via the tissues.
The brain is protected by a blood brain barrier; a blood brain barrier is a thick membrane that cleans out impurities from the blood before it enters the brain. But for some people, the infection can break the blood brain barrier and affect the brain membrane. The immune system responds to the infection by causing the meninges to swell and attempt to stop the spread of the infection, but by doing the, the meninges can damage the nervous system and brain.
Bacterial Meningitis
There were many different bacteria’s which caused meningitis, but the vaccination programmes have managed to destroy some.
However, there are still other bacteria’s which can cause the Bacterial Meningitis and they are the following:
-
Streptococcus Pneumonia Bacteria (Pneumococcus bacteria.)
-
Neisseria Meningitis Bacteria (Meningococcus bacteria)
Streptococcus Pneumonia Bacteria mostly affects young children and babies; as this is because their immune system has not built up to immunity to these bacteria’s.
Neisseria Meningitis Bacteria spreads though sharing utensils, coughing, sneezing, many people who are over the age of 25 have a immunity to Neisseria Meningitis Bacteria.
What are the symptoms?
The warning sighs of Meningitis often occur a few hours before the other symptoms. The early warning signs occur in Meningitis which are caused by the Neisseria Meningitis Bacteria, this is because the bacteria can infect the blood.
The following are the symptoms which occur if known to have meningitis:
- Fever
- Hands and feet are unusually cold
- Skin becomes pale
- Lips appear blue
- Severe pain in legs and hands
If the above symptoms have occurred then it seriously important that a doctor is informed immediately.
Viral meningitis
Many people who have Viral will have the same symptoms as a mild flu which includes of headaches, chills, muscle or joint pains and fever.
There are also some causes where the symptoms of Viral Meningitis is the same as Bacterial Meningitis; the most common symptoms of Viral Meningitis are the following:
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photophobia (Fear of light)
Bacterial meningitis
The symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis appear suddenly and eventually worsen, the symptoms are the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Seizures/Fits
- Photophobia
- Stiff neck (occurs mainly in young children)
- Confusion
- Blotchy red rash
Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis can appear differently in babies and young children and they are the following:
- Irritable
- Unusual crying
- Being stiff or jerky movements
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Skin becomes pale and blotchy
- Very sleepy
- Swelling in part of the head
The difference between Viral and Bacterial Meningitis is not always known from just the symptoms; so if there is a suspicion of Meningitis is very important to treat this as a medical emergency.
Treatment Options
Meningitis should be treated urgently by going out the hospital or having antibiotics; if the disease is treated properly then it is less likely to become life threatening. While in hospital, there are other procedures which are carried, but this depends on the patient’s condition.
The main procedure is a test which is carried called ‘lumbar puncture’, a lumber puncture is a procedure which takes a sample of a CSF (fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord) which then shows if the patient is diagnosed with meningitis or any other conditions of the bran and spinal cord. However, if the patient’s condition is too serious for a lumber puncture then antibiotics are given, and then the procedure is done when the patient’s condition improves.
If someone is really ill, then it is required that they are in intensive care, where there are doctors and nurses to monitor their health and respond to them immediately for emergences.
Viral Meningitis
If the symptoms of Viral Meningitis are serious enough to go to the hospital, then it will be treated the same as a Bacterial Meningitis, however this is until a diagnosis is confirmed. When the diagnosis is confirmed then the antibiotics will be given through fluids via an injection, this is then continued to help the body to recover.
Sometimes people who have Viral Meningitis may not need to go to the hospital and can recover within 14 days and do not need treatment.
Bacterial Meningitis
For Bacterial Meningitis urgent treatment is needed in an intensive care unit (ICU), antibiotics are given which are used to treat the underlying of the infection. Also fluids are given via an injection and life support equipment to support the body while it recovers. If there is swelling then steroids will be given to reduce it.
If the bacteria has entered the blood, they will reduce toxins and kill healthy tissues, also if the tissue is damaged then eventually the tissue will die and be infected. The infected tissue has to be surgically removed; also sometimes it is necessary that a whole body part is amputated. For example; a limb, toe or finger.
Sometimes people who are treated early can make a quick recovery between 10 to 14 days. However, if it is not treated early it can take several weeks or maybe months to make a full recovery.
Prevention
There are many different vaccines which can be prevented from having Viral or Bacterial Meningitis and they are the following:
- Meningitis C vaccination
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination (MMR)
- IPV, Hib, DTap vaccination (also protects from whooping cough, polio and tetanus)
There are also many other ways to prevent yourself from having Viral and Bacterial Meningitis and they are:
- Keeping tissues, lipsticks and towels to yourself and not sharing them as they may contain the bacterial meningitis which can spread.
- To wash hands with water and soap; if unwashed the bacteria can spread on to your food or mouth.
- Eat plenty of fresh food and vegetable
- Making sure to use your own utensils and not to share, as they may carry bacteria and spread.
- Exercise regularly and to avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking as they can make the immune system weak.
- Sleep a maximum of 8 hours a day if you are a teen or pre-teen as sleeping can boost the immune system.
Statistics
Looking at ‘Diagram 3’ it shows how there is many cases of Meningitis in Nigeria during 2006-2008. Between weeks 1 and 19, there was a high number of cases of Meningitis in 2006 of 4,600. In 2007, the cases of Meningitis dropped to 2,100. The following year in 2008, Meningitis went to a major decrease of 1000 cases of Meningitis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of the Meningitis family has changed over the last decade and this has led to a more control on bacterial and viral meningitis spreading around. Most of the bacteria’s and viruses that cause meningitis have been controlled, however there are still some which can cause the disease.
It is very important that meningitis is not mistaken for a flu as the symptoms are very similar and can be very dangerous if the disease is not taken under medical straight away, also if it is not taken under medical health then there is a chance that the disease can spread onto other people.
