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Bacterial Meningitis

Basic Information

Bacterial meningitis is a condition in which the membrane that covers the brain becomes inflamed. It is sometimes referred to as "spinal meningitis". In particular, it is an infection of the fluid that circulates within the spinal cord and around the brain. Bacterial meningitis is typically caused by one of three kinds of bacteria: Neisseria meningitidis, Hemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumonaie.

Neisseria meningitidis is caused by a group of bacteria called Meningococcus. This bacterial group often lives in the nasopharyngeal area of the healthy person. This form of meningitis causes more deaths than the others because the bacteria quickly produces an ultra-toxic substance at the site of the infected area. This can lead to shock and hemorrhaging. In some instances, death happens within a few hours of the initial appearance of symptoms.

The Haemophilus is group of bacteria that cause Hemophilus influenzae. This bacterial parasite exists in the upper respiratory tract, mouth, and pharnyx of healthy individuals. It cannot survive outside of the body. Meningitis caused by this bacteria afflicts infants and people who have been affected by respiratory tract infections.

Pneumococci, the bacteria that causes Streptococcus pneumonaie, are often found in the upper respiratory tract of healthy individuals. They can often lead to bacterial meningitis if a non-meningitis infection has damaged the lung tissue.

All of these bacteria naturally reside in the throat, mouth or nasal area of healthy people. However, when triggered, these bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to the cerebrospinal fluid in the meninges (these are the membranes that enclose the brain and spine). The function of the meninges is to absorb shock, protect the spine and brain, provide a blood supply, and serve as a valve system for the cerebrospinal fluid. Once the bacteria reach the spinal fluid, it can reproduce rapidly, which results in the inflammation of the meninges. There are thought to be several things that can cause the bacteria to invade the bloodstream and break down the body's immune system. These include cranial injury, infection of the respiratory system, lung infection and trauma to the nervous system. In many cases, the type of trigger determines which type of bacteria affects the body. For instance, a person who has pneumonia is likely to develop a pneumococcal infection caused by Streptococcus pneumonaie bacteria. The type of bacterial meningitis a person develops also depends on age.

Bacterial meningitis is a rare but severe condition. It typically affects infants and children. If left untreated, it can lead to the deterioration of the nervous system, deafness, epilepsy, retardation, brain damage, and possibly death. If the bacterial infection is treated in time, the inflammation subsides and the infected person recovers without any long term effects. Meningitis can also be caused by a virus, but this form is not very severe and usually subsides without treatment.

Bacterial meningitis is contagious. Fortunately, the bacteria cannot live long outside of the body. The condition can be communicated only through direct contact with the respiratory and throat secretions of an infected person. The typical means of transference is coughing or kissing. It can not be spread through casual contact or incidental exposure to a person with bacterial meningitis. There is some evidence that suggests prolonged exposure to a person with meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis can spread the infection to other people.

Symptoms

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can develop suddenly or they may show up gradually over a period of 1-2 days. Symptoms in people over the age of two include:

  • stiffness of neck when bending forward
  • vomiting
  • seizures
  • headaches
  • fever
  • stiff back
  • sensitivity to light
  • fatigue or sleepiness
  • delirium or confusion

Because it can cause severe and permanent damage, early treatment is particularly important in cases of bacterial meningitis. The primary symptom to look for in order to detect bacterial meningitis early is stiffness of neck. In cases where the infection has progressed to a severe condition, the person may develop bruises beneath the skin.

Symptoms in people under the age of two include:

  • fever
  • headache
  • stiff neck
  • inactivity
  • vomiting
  • irritability
  • poor feeding

Diagnosis/Treatment

Early detection of bacterial meningitis is extremely crucial in order to prevent any long-lasting negative effects. Once a doctor suspects bacterial meningitis, they will usually perform a spinal tap. A spinal tap is a procedure during which a doctor inserts a needle into the lower back and extracts spinal fluid. This fluid can be used to grow and identify bacteria so that a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Just as important as confirming a diagnosis during the early stages of bacterial meningitis is determining the type of bacteria that is causing the infection. Because each bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis is eradicated by a different antibiotic, the identification of the bacteria type is very crucial so that doctor can choose the appropriate medication. If appropriate medication is prescribed and the treatment begun early enough, the risk of death declines to less than 15 percent of all cases. The incidence is slightly higher for elderly people.

In cases where Streptococcus pneumonaie is responsible for the infection, doctors often prescribe antibiotics such as Penicillin. While Neisseria meningitidis has built up a resistance to all Sulfonamide medications, it typically responds well to Penicillin. If the person is allergic to Penicillin, the doctor may wish to prescribe Chloramphenicol. Hemophilus influenzae can be treated with Chloramphenicol and Tetracycline. In most cases, if the person is treated with antibiotics there will be a complete recovery.

In addition to treatment, many forms of bacterial meningitis can also be prevented through vaccination. Up until the 1990s, Hemophilus influenzae was the cause of most bacterial meningitis cases. However, with new vaccines and routine immunizations, this bacteria is no longer the threat it used to be. In fact, it is now the least likely to cause bacterial meningitis. As a result of these vaccines, bacterial meningitis has been on the decline since the mid 1980s.

The vaccine for bacterial meningitis caused by Hemophilus influenzae is extremely safe and effective. By the time a child is half a year old, they should have received at least three doses of this vaccine. Sometimes a fourth shot is given to a child once they are a year old.

There is also a vaccine against four different strands of Neisseria meningitis. Because it is so rapidly fatal, this disease concerns doctors the most. However, the vaccine for this infection is rarely given in the United States. Although it rarely occurs as an outbreak in the United States, it has happened in other countries where there have been Neisseria meningitis-caused epidemics. International travelers should check to see if they need a vaccination for the country where they are going. In most cases, the vaccination for this bacteria is ineffective in children under the age of 18 months.

The vaccines for Streptococcus are typically ineffective for children under the age of two. It is suggested that people over the age of 65 and children who have chronic respiratory problems use this vaccine.

In recent years, there have been several breakthroughs regarding new vaccines. As a result, the risk of being affected by bacterial meningitis is greatly declining. If a person gets this infection, it should be reported to health officials so that they can track the case and prevent an outbreak. Also, if someone has had close exposure to anyone who has meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, they should see a doctor and be given antibiotics.