Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can result from a variety of sources, such as bacteria, viruses, fungus, or parasites; it can also be caused by a physical injury. Treatment for meningitis differs depending on the cause and the severity. So it is imperative to know the cause whenever dealing with a case of meningitis. The germs that cause meningitis are often contagious in cases involving viruses or bacteria. The good news is that it is not as contagious as some common viruses that cause the flu or a cold. This is of course because
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Most people with meningitis recover, but a lot of times it causes serious complications such as brain damage or hearing loss. There are several types of germs that can give bacterial meningitis. Some of the most prevalent strains of bacterial meningitis in the U.S. include Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Neisseria meningitidis. Most of these pathogens are more or less dangerous to certain age people. Meningitis often shows up accompanied by a fever, headache, or stiff neck. They often have other symptoms as well though, such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and minor or severe …show more content…
It is thankfully more manageable than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own without any need for treatment. However, infants younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Non-polio enteroviruses are the most frequent cause of viral meningitis in the United States. However, only a small portion of people who contract enteroviruses will develop meningitis. In most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. This is because most people who get viral meningitis completely recover by themsleves within 7 to 10 days. Obviously though people with meningitis caused by common viruses such as influenza, can benefit from treatment from an antiviral medication. Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral
Most people with meningitis recover, but a lot of times it causes serious complications such as brain damage or hearing loss. There are several types of germs that can give bacterial meningitis. Some of the most prevalent strains of bacterial meningitis in the U.S. include Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Neisseria meningitidis. Most of these pathogens are more or less dangerous to certain age people. Meningitis often shows up accompanied by a fever, headache, or stiff neck. They often have other symptoms as well though, such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and minor or severe …show more content…
It is thankfully more manageable than bacterial meningitis, and most people get better on their own without any need for treatment. However, infants younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Non-polio enteroviruses are the most frequent cause of viral meningitis in the United States. However, only a small portion of people who contract enteroviruses will develop meningitis. In most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. This is because most people who get viral meningitis completely recover by themsleves within 7 to 10 days. Obviously though people with meningitis caused by common viruses such as influenza, can benefit from treatment from an antiviral medication. Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral