FaqsResearch.com | Engaging Blogs For All

Home - Health A-Z - Causes And Symptoms Of Bacterial Meningitis

Causes And Symptoms Of Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges. Meninges is the protective membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Most of the cases of meningitis across the country are caused due to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Out of these, viral meningitis improves within a few days to a week even without treatment.

Acute bacterial meningitis contributes to almost 80 percent of total cases of meningitis. Infection due to bacterial meningitis causes inflammation in the brain.

Causes And Symptoms Of Bacterial Meningitis

This in turn interferes with the blood flow, which results in stroke and paralysis. Bacterial meningitis is one of those types of meningitis that can have life threatening symptoms and requires antibiotic treatment.

Causes of bacterial meningitis

Usually, children between the age one month and two years are most susceptible to bacterial meningitis. Outbreaks of bacterial meningitis can also occur in living situations where a person is in close contact with others, such as in college dormitories or in military barracks.

The bacteria that is responsible for bacterial meningitis are commonly found in the environment and can also be found dormant in our respiratory system and in our nose without causing any harm. A person can get infected with bacterial meningitis for no known reasons.

One can also get infected with bacterial meningitis due to a head injury which has made the person vulnerable to bacterial infection which weakens the immune system.

Following are some strains of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae
It is the most common form of bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis and infection in infants, young children, and adults across our country. The same bacteria causes pneumonia or sinus infection.
Haemophilus meningitis
Also referred to as meningococcus, it is one of the other bacteria that causes meningitis. It usually causes upper respiratory infection, which turns into the meningitis infection once it enters the bloodstream. This type of bacterial infection is highly contagious and mostly affects teenagers and young adults.
Listeria monocytogenes
These types of bacteria is mainly found in unpasteurized cheeses, hot dogs and luncheon meats. Older adults, newborns, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune system are most susceptible to meningitis caused by this type of bacteria. Listeria can cross the placental barrier and cause infection in late pregnancy stages. This can be fatal for both the mother and baby.
Haemophilus influenzae
Hib or haemophilus influenzae was considered to be one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children. Meningitis caused due to this type of bacteria has been bought under control because of development Hib vaccinations.

Risk factors for bacterial meningitis
A person is at an increased risk if they have not completed the recommended vaccination schedule

Most cases of bacterial meningitis occur in children younger than age 5 or in teenagers.
Pregnancy increases the risk of listeriosis, which is a type of bacterial meningitis. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and even premature delivery.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis
Spotting the signs of meningitis is not easy. Early symptoms of bacterial meningitis mimic influenza. Other symptoms light develop over a matter of few days.

Possible symptoms in babies older than age two include

high fever
stiff neck
severe headache
nausea and vomiting
difficulty concentrating
seizures
problems with sleep (difficulty sleeping or waking up)
sensitivity to light
loss of appetite and thirst
skin rashes (in case the baby is suffering from meningococcal meningitis)

Symptoms of meningitis in newborns

high fever
constant crying
irritability or excessive sleeping
sluggishness or inactivity
a bulge in the soft spot on the baby’s head, i.e., fontanel
stiffness in baby’s body or neck

Infants suffering from meningitis might be difficult to control as you might not be able to know the reason of their symptoms.

Symptoms in adults
Apart from some of the symptoms mentioned above, following are the symptoms of meningitis that you should look out for.

skin rashes are the primary symptom of a bacterial meningitis
a person suffering from bacterial meningitis might have abnormal skin color
they might also experience stomach cramps in case they are suffering from meningococcal infection
chills in the body and ice-cold hands and feet
it also causes muscle aches and joint pains
some people also experience rapid breathing when suffering from bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be fatal if not met with prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment can increase the risk of permanent brain damage and death. If you or a person you know is suffering from similar symptoms seek immediate medical care as you can avoid serious complications if you go for early treatment of bacterial meningitis.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on our blog site traverses numerous categories, offering readers valuable and practical information. Readers can use the editorial team’s research and data to gain more insights into their topics of interest. However, they are requested not to treat the articles as conclusive. The website team cannot be held responsible for differences in data or inaccuracies found across other platforms. Please also note that the site might also miss out on various schemes and offers available that the readers may find more beneficial than the ones we cover.

Everything you need to know about meningitis

Everything You Need To Know About Hepatitis C

Popular Articles

All You Need To Know About Bleeding Gums

All you need to know about bleeding gums We often do not pay much thought to bleeding gums and shrug it off because they invariably happen when we brush or floss our teeth. We consider it as normal but it should not be ignored. Gum bleeding is a fairly common problem.

Understanding The Stages A Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious progressive condition affecting the pumping power of the muscles in the heart. It is generally called heart failure, but CHF specifically means the stage when fluid builds up all around the human heart resulting in inefficient pumping. There are a total of four heart chambers.

Deep Vein Thrombosis – Diagnosis And Treatment

Deep Vein Thrombosis – Diagnosis and treatment Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot occurs in one of the deeper veins in the body; usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis leads to symptoms such as swelling, cramps, and leg pain. In a few rare cases, there are no symptoms of deep vein thrombosis.

The Causes And Symptoms Of Carcinoid Neuroendocrine Tumors

The causes and symptoms of carcinoid neuroendocrine tumors The neuroendocrine system can be described as a network of glands producing hormones that are carried into the bloodstream. There are different roles that these hormones play in the human body. The carcinoid neuroendocrine tumor is a very rare tumor that shows up in the cells of the neuroendocrine system.

Carcinoid Neuroendocrine Tumors – Prognosis And Life Expectancy

Carcinoid neuroendocrine tumors – Prognosis and life expectancy The neuroendocrine system is a complex regulatory mechanism comprised of cells spread throughout several organ systems, including our lungs and digestive system. As they have characteristics of both nerves and endocrine cells, they are called neuroendocrine cells. The nerve cells transmit signals using electrical impulses, whereas endocrine cells make thyroid and insulin-secreting glands.

What Are The First Signs Of Liver Damage

Liver damage – What are the first signs? On the right side of the abdomen, below your rib cage, is an organ called the liver. It is the size of a football and is one of the most important organs in the human body. The liver aids in the digestion of the food we eat and also helps in flushing out the toxins from our body.

What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of External Hemorroids

What are the causes and symptoms of external Hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids, popularly known as ‘Piles,’ are enlarged or swollen blood vessels near the lower part of the rectum or anus. The inflamed veins are caused due to excessive pressure on the veins or extra strain during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are very common in men as well as women in their middle age.

Home Remedies To Relieve Pain And Discomfort Due To Hemorrhoids

Home remedies to relieve pain and discomfort due to hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are also known as “piles” as they are swollen or inflamed veins in and around the anus region of the body that cause severe pain, along with distress and bleeding. The swelling is caused due to increased pressure around the area or due to an injury during a bowel movement.