Bacterial Meningitis
What is it?
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and
spinal cord, called the meninges, and is caused by bacteria. Bacterial
meningitis is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Who gets it?
Bacterial meningitis is more common in very young children, under the
age of five. In adults, it affects more men than women. People at higher
risk are those with chronic illnesses, such as ear and nose infections, or
illnesses that impair the immune system.
What causes it?
The bacteria that cause most cases of bacterial meningitis are normally
present in our environment and can live in our noses and respiratory
systems without causing any problems. However, this bacteria can infect
the brain by spreading from an infection in a nearby part of the body,
such as from a sinus infection, or can be carried to the brain by the
blood. It can also enter the brain after a head injury, such as a skull
fracture. People with bacterial meningitis are contagious anywhere from
two days to two weeks, depending on the type of bacteria that causes the
infection.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms of bacterial meningitis include high fever, headache,
chills, and stiff neck. The neck is so stiff that the patient cannot lower
the chin to the chest. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting,
confusion, irritability, and a red and purple skin rash. Very young
children will be irritable and difficult to feed, extremely sleepy or
difficult to wake, will cry inconsolably, and may have seizures. Infants
may not have stiff neck. In some cases, especially where treatment is
delayed, bacterial meningitis can cause brain damage that results in
permanent disabilities and even death.
How is it diagnosed?
Because recovery depends upon quick treatment, a fast diagnosis is
extremely important. Your doctor will evaluate your or your child's
symptoms, looking for specific signs such as a skin rash and stiff neck.
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will need to do a lumbar puncture,
also known as a spinal tap, to withdraw some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and
check for a bacterial infection. Before the fluid is withdrawn, an area in
the lower back is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, a long, hollow
needle is inserted into the spinal canal to withdraw the fluid. If the
symptoms are caused by bacteria, the fluid will generally look cloudy. The
fluid will also be examined under a microscope and sent to a laboratory
where it will be grown (cultured) so the specific bacteria can be
identified. Other tests that may be done include blood and urine tests and
a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head.
What is the treatment?
Your doctor may start antibiotic treatment even before test results are
in if he or she strongly suspects bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics are
given in a hospital through an intravenous (IV) line, which means it is
through a needle inserted in a vein. IV antibiotics are given for up to
two weeks. You or your child will also be given fluids to replace those
lost through fever and vomiting. Recovery is usually complete, especially
in children, if the infection is treated within the first few hours.
Because bacterial meningitis is contagious, patients should not resume
normal activities until they have approval from their doctor. If you have
been exposed to bacterial meningitis, your doctor may give you antibiotics
to help prevent the infection.
Self-care tips
Because immediate treatment is so important to recovery, seek medical
treatment for yourself or your child as soon as you observe any symptoms
of bacterial meningitis, especially high fever combined with headache,
lethargy, and stiff neck. If you or your child has bacterial meningitis,
you should wash your hands frequently to avoid passing the infection on to
others. Do not share food or eating utensils, and avoid contact with
bodily fluids, such as saliva. Children should routinely be immunized with
the Hemophilus influenzae type B vaccine, which can help prevent a common
type of childhood meningitis. There is also a vaccine available that can
prevent some forms of meningitis. This is commonly given to people who
live in areas where there are epidemics of bacterial meningitis.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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