Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is the name for infections that take place in the meninges, membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.  There are two types of meningitis- bacterial and viral.  In this article I will explore bacterial meningitis, the more serious form with the potential to be fatal if untreated.

Bacterial meningitis can also cause sepsis which is another word for blood poisoning.

One in 10 die of bacterial meningitis if not vacinated.  About 3000 people get bacterial meningitis in the U.S. each year.  Eighty-three per cent of cases are adolescents and young adults.  It is important to get this part of the population vaccinated against the disease.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness that can lead to brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities.

Before the 1990’s haemophilus type B or Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Hib vaccine is now given to all children.

Today, streptoccous pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis are the leading sources of bacterial meningitis.

Anyone over 2 years of age will have symptoms such as a stiff neck and pain looking at bright lights and high fever.

In infants symptoms of this disease are poor appetite, irritabilty and vomiting.

It can be spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as kissing, or some spread by  direct contact with the stool of the infected patient.  This could be caught by changing a baby’s diaper who has the disease.

There is a vaccine to prevent the bacterial form of meningitis and it is strongly suggested that people who are at risk getting the disease will get vaccinated.

I hope this article explained the disease and will convince those who need vaccinated will get it.