Facts About Meningitis

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is mostly known to be the inflammation or swellingcaused to the protective membranes. These membranes are known to cover the brain along with the spinal cord which is referred to as the meninges. Bacteria as well as the virus are mostly said to be common cause of meningitis.

Causes:

There are multiple causes of meningitis and the common one beings bacterial as well as the viral ones. Apart from these, meningitis is also caused due to fungal, non-infectious one and the parasitic one. There is a parasite which is called as the Naegleria fowleri. This is known to be main source for PAM or also called as the primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Bacterial meningitis is mostly the fatal of them all and it can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed timely.

Symptoms:

Few of the common symptoms experienced by the individual who is suffering from meningitis and also these symptoms would be experienced by individual suffering from any type of meningitis. Those common symptoms are neck stiffness, constant case of headache, sudden occurrence of fever, rashes on the skin or purple occurrence on the skin which can look somewhat like bruises.

Spread of the disease:

This disease is known to mostly spread through direct exchange of throat as well as any respiratory secretions carried out by a close contact of the individual who is already infected. Few examples would be through kissing or sharing of drinks.

Vaccinations:

There are currently vaccinations for meningitis which have also been approved by the FDA. Hence parents or guardians of school children should be getting in touch with the doctors on getting this Type B vaccine as well as confirm the insurance plan concerning the coverage.HiB or haemophilus influenza type B vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and Meningococcal vaccine are few of the vaccines which can be given to the individual to prevent the onset of meningitis.

Prevention:

One of the best ways to prevent the spreading of this disease is by way of vaccination. Also the individual who has been infected should avoid any kind of sharing of personal items and also maintain proper high standards of hygiene. There are certain hygiene routines which should be followed such as ensure to wash hands regularly with mild soap and water, avoid sharing of any straws or eating in the same utensil as others, try to shield your mouth with a kerchief whenever you cough or sneeze, also try to be careful and avoid visiting places which are a high risk of meningitis. Before and after using the restroom wash your hands properly.

Treatment:

Based on the type as well as the root cause the doctor would then decide on which would be the appropriate method of treatment for the individual. in case of fungal the doctor would suggest certain antifungal agents. If it is a viral meningitis, then the doctor may not suggest of any special treatment since it would go away on its own after a few days. Bacterial ones are severe hence require immediate medical attention if they are diagnosed on time.

Complications:

There are one in three individuals who are known to survive this bacterial meningitis are also left with its after effects which would include loss of eye sight, damage to the brain which can get permanent as well as loss of hearing. Bacterial meningitis is known to be the fatal one thereby leading to death in most of the children who are below the age of five. Without proper and early diagnosis as well as delay in treatment can lead to meningitis turning life threatening.