Meningitis: causes, symptoms, remedies

It is an inflammation of the meninges, that is, the envelope that lines the brain and spinal cord.

What is it

Although the term meningitis is commonly referred to the epidemic form, in medical jargon it generically indicates an inflammation of the meninges, that is, of the envelope that covers the brain and spinal cord, consisting of three overlapping sheets, the dura mater, the pia mater and the arachnoid.

Regardless of the cause, the clinical manifestations of meningitis are often united by similar manifestations.

Causes

The causes of meningitis can be different: infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic), physical (traumatic, from radiation exposure), neoplastic.

For diagnosis, knowledge of the recent history of the individual is fundamental: the classic meningococcal meningitis, for example, affects, with a typical outbreak pattern, people who have been closely in contact (for example students, seminarians, gym goers, recruits). Meningococcal meningitis typically affects early childhood and adolescence.

There are 13 different types of meningococcus, but only 5 (named A, B, C, W 135 and Y) are responsible for meningitis.

In Italy and Europe, serogroups B and C are the most frequent. It should be remembered that up to 30% of individuals are healthy carriers of meningococcus, which it houses in the nose and throat.

Other important microorganisms are pneumococcus, a pathogen of the respiratory tract that acquires greater importance in the elderly, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, which represents on the contrary the most important cause of meningitis in the newborn.

Most common symptoms The most frequent symptoms of meningitis are:

  • nuchal stiffness;
  • high fever;
  • headache;
  • vomiting (usually jet);
  • impairment of the level of consciousness;
  • lethargy;
  • Seizures;

The symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are no different from those of other bacterial meningitis, but in 10-20% of cases the form is rapid and acute, with a fulminant course that can lead to death in a few hours.

It should be noted that in infants and young children the symptoms may be more nuanced, with crying, complaining, irritability, tendency to drowsiness with poor reactivity to stimuli, maintenance of the classic “gunmetal” posture, with knees flexed and legs overlapping each other.

Complications

Meningitis, in addition to fulminant death, can cause serious complications, with permanent neurological damage, such as loss of hearing, vision, ability to communicate or learn, behavioral problems and brain damage, up to paralysis.

Among the complications of a non-neurological nature, especially with regard to meningococcus, there may be kidney and adrenal gland damage, resulting in hormonal imbalances.

Care

Bacterial meningitis, diagnosed by appropriate blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests, requires treatment with antibiotics.

Depending on the microorganisms involved, the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis of individuals exposed to the risk of contagion can be evaluated.

It should be remembered that haemophilus, pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis can be prevented thanks to the availability of specific vaccines.

When to consult your doctor

It is always good to consult your doctor in case an individual complains of worsening headaches, with progressive loss of consciousness (difficulty waking up) and possible jet vomiting.

After a head injury, unless there are obvious injuries, a 24-hour observation period is essential. In the case of a child, parents are alerted to check their responsiveness and behavior.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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