 Meningitis disease: types, causes and symptoms
Added: 12/09/2005 |
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Meningitis disease is considered to be the infection of the brain's covering layers (meninges). It can be caused by different kinds of infection, with bacteria, virus and even fungi. One of the less common causes of the disease is protozoa or other parasites, associated with other everyday illnesses. It's very important to know the basic knowledge regarding meningitis causes and symptoms.
Much ink has been spilled over meningitis disease. But do you know that it's very important to know meningitis causes and symptoms because of possible differences in severity and treatment methods of illness?
According to medical practice, meningitis disease is very often caused by infection (such as fungal, viral, parasitic or bacterial). Among less common meningitis causes are other illnesses spreading to the meninges and inflaming them.
Depending of the disease's causes meningitis has two types. The relatively mild one is called viral meningitis (aseptic meningitis). It is caused by viruses. As a rule, this meningitis type clears up within ten days or even less with no special treatment. Enteroviruses, which tend to be very active in late summer and early fall, are considered to be responsible for viral meningitis.
Much more serious type of meningitis is caused by bacteria and known as bacterial meningitis. It usually causes severe illness with the further brain damage or even death. Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by one of the following bacteria: streptococcus pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). It's very important to know exactly which type of the mentioned bacteris has caused a particular meningitis disease for choosing the most appropriate treatment method.
It's worth admitting that bacterial meningitis is known and found worldwide. Very often certain bacteria live in the person's mouth and throat but don't make any harm. However, they can break the human body's immune defense and spread to the fluid which surrounds the spinal cord and brain. If so, these bacteria start to multiply quickly and make meninges inflamed and swollen. In this case the person is able to notice the common meningitis disease symptoms: high fever, severe headache, seizures, confusion, sleepiness, difficulties with waking up, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite and some others.
Be aware that meningitis disease has almost the same symptoms as flu. They may exist during the first two or three days; but some meningitis types can lead to death in a couple of days. That's why it's necessary to consult your doctor regarding this matter.
There are also several other types of meningitis. For instance, chronic meningitis, which is rather rare and develops, as a rule, within a month. The signs of this meningitis type are the same (mentioned above). Fungal meningitis can seriously affect people with different immune deficiencies (for example, AIDS). If not treated with antifungal medications this type of meningitis can be rather life-threatening.
It's necessary to admit that some meningitis types are contagious. When someone with meningitis disease talks, sneezes or coughs you also risk of getting infected. Kissing, sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or cigarettes can also cause meningitis infection.
To prevent the meningitis infection there's a wide range of vaccinations made in the majority of clinics all over the world.
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