What is meningitis?
Meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the meninges (membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord) and can be caused by different agents, such as bacteria, fungi or viruses. In some rarer cases, it can result from drug reactions or other systemic diseases.
Are there different types of meningitis?
yes. Meningitis is characterized according to the agent that causes the infection. A distinction should be made between the different strains:
- Viral meningitis: the most common and tend to be less severe and which are caused by viruses such as enteroviruses
- bacterial meningitis: the most common bacteria involved are Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Haemophilus influenzae type B, which are serious infections that can be fatal
- fungal meningitis: rarer and can occur from inhalation of fungi in the environment or in patients affected by diabetes, cancer or HIV/AIDS infection
- meningitis caused by parasites, more common in less developed countries
- Aseptic meningitis: such as those caused by drugs/medication, autoimmune diseases, neoplastic diseases, trauma, etc.
How is bacterial meningitis characterized?
Bacterial meningitis is a an acute transmissible infectious disease, characterized by inflammation of the meninges (membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord) and can be caused by different bacteria, such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes.
What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
The general symptoms of meningitis are:
- fever
- severe headache
- nausea and vomiting
- irritability
- Mental confusion
- state of extreme tiredness
- psychomotor agitation
- neck stiffness
- Seizures
- skin rashes (petechiae)
In babies, it can cause the following symptoms:
- irritability
- moleira (dome of the skull) elevated
- difficulty interacting due to irritability
- Vomiting
- difficulty feeding
- lethargy/apathy
- high-pitched crying or moaning
- Noise intolerance
How is bacterial meningitis transmitted?
Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through direct contact with droplets and nasal secretions favored by coughing, sneezing, kissing and physical proximity to other patients with the infection.
What is the contagion period?
The contagion period persists until the bacteria disappears from the rhinopharynx. In general, contagion ceases to exist 24 hours after the start of effective therapy.
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period is between 1 and 10 days, but in general does not exceed 4 days.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is made through:
- clinical examination with signs suggestive of meningitis
- Blood tests
- cerebrospinal fluid tests, which involves a lumbar puncture
What are the risk groups for bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis may pose a higher risk to certain groups, including:
- infants, because they have not yet been fully immunized (vaccines)
- immunocompromised people
- Healthcare professionals involved in this treatment
- travelers or inhabitants in outbreak locations
Is bacterial meningitis serious?
Bacterial meningitis can have different prognosis:
- Recovery without sequelae
- A percentage of patients do not recover fully and have sequelae such as hearing loss, seizures or mental changes
- In the most severe cases where the disease progresses rapidly, it can cause death within a few hours
What are the complications of bacterial meningitis?
A more severe presentation of the disease can lead to the development of some complications, such as:
- Seizures
- Generalised infection
- Brain damage
- partial or total hearing loss
Is it possible to prevent bacterial meningitis?
The main ways to prevent bacterial meningitis are:
- Vaccination Limit contact with patients with the same disease
- Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
- Hand hygiene – regular and careful hand washing with soap and water, preferably without accessories (rings, bracelets, watches, etc.)
- Respiratory etiquette
- cover your mouth/nose with a handkerchief or arm when sneezing or coughing
- Do not sneeze/cough into your hands
- washing hands after coughing/sneezing
What is the treatment for bacterial meningitis?
Early treatment of meningitis is essential for its effectiveness and increases the chances of a recovery without sequelae. It is usually treated with drug therapy, with the taking of antibiotics.
If the disease is suspected, you should see your treating doctor as soon as possible so that you can be diagnosed and treatment started.
My child has a classmate at school/kindergarten with suspected meningitis. What should I do?
If the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is confirmed, contact will be made by the health delegate. However, most meningitis is viral and not bacterial in origin and therefore does not require treatment or specific contact attitudes.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)