INTRODUCTION:
Meningitis is inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. The reason behind this infection can be bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, or any other cancerous condition. Medication and autoimmune diseases can also cause meningitis. Bacterial meningitis: From the name, we can predict that this is the inflammation of the meningitis caused by bacteria that spreads through the blood and carries bacteria to the meninges. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the most common and aggressive pathogens of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can spread through an ear or sinus infection. This inflammation is a severe, life-threatening infection that can cause morbidity and mortality.
Risk Factors:
Newborns are at higher risk of meningitis due to their low immune power compared to other age groups. People who are immunocompromised or have AIDS can be victims of meningitis. People who have undergone recent brain or spinal surgery are also at risk. Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis can occur in group settings (such as college dormitories), and travelers to certain parts of the world are at increased risk of acquiring bacterial meningitis.
Complications:
Not every bacterial meningitis is complicated or life threatening. Some bacterial meningitis causes can also have complications. They can range in severity from person to person and can be either transient or permanent. A delayed course of therapy may cause cerebral infarction and vascular inflammation. Other persistent issues include
- Seizures issues with learning, memory, and concentration issues with mobility, balance, and coordination
- Speech issues
- Seeing less
- Loss of hearing
SYMPTOMS:
The most common symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:
- Painful, stiff neck with limited range of motion
- Headaches
- High fever
- Feeling confused or sleepy
- Bruising easily all over the body
- A rash on the skin
- Sensitivity to light
- Irritability
- Vomiting from a high fever
- Frequent crying
- Swelling of the head
- Lack of appetite
- Seizures (sometimes also seen in adults if the meningitis is advanced)
Diagnose:
A diagnosis is very important because an early diagnosis will help make people healthy through the right interventions. To diagnose the condition, a health care provider does a spinal tap, in which they take a sample from the spinal cord. The fluid is tested for bacteria. The health care provider will also ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam.
Other tests may include:
Brain imaging (CT scan)
Blood and urine testing
Swab fluids from your nose or throat.
How it spread?
Certain bacterial meningitis pathogens, such as L. monocytogenes, can spread through food. However, the majority of these pathogens move from person to person.The type of bacteria generally determines how humans transfer germs. It is also critical to understand that humans can have these bacteria in or on their bodies without becoming ill. These folks are known as “carriers.” Although most carriers do not feel ill, they can still spread the bacterium to others.
Prevention:
Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for bacteria that can cause meningitis:
- Meningococcal vaccines help protect against N. meningitidis
- Pneumococcal vaccines help protect against S. pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccines help protect against Hi
Healthy Habits:
Maintaining healthy habits can also help protect you and others against bacterial meningitis and other health problems:
- Avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible by not smoking.
- Get lots of sleep.
- Avoid close contact with sick persons.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (if soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer).
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (if a tissue isn’t available, use your upper sleeve or elbow).
- These healthy habits are especially crucial for persons who are predisposed to disease, such as:
- Babies in their early stages
- Senior citizens
- Individuals with weakened immune systems
- People who do not have a spleen or whose spleen does not function properly
CONCLUSION:
A dangerous CNS infection with a high morbidity and fatality rate is bacterial meningitis. It is best managed by an interdisciplinary team that consists of a pediatrician, an internist, a physician from the emergency room, a laboratory worker, an expert in infectious diseases, and a nurse practitioner. The goal is to begin treatment right away without holding off. If a high degree of meningitis suspicion exists, cultures shouldn’t be delayed. A board-certified infectious disease chemist should be consulted by the infectious disease expert in order to empirically begin the most effective antimicrobial medication based on the most recent antibiogram data, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.
