What is meningitis?
Whether or not you follow health headlines, you still have probably heard about inflammation and how it is to blame for a long list of major health conditions. When people in the wellness world talk about inflammation, they’re referring to your body’s natural response to an infection. One of the most serious and dangerous kinds of inflammation is meningitis. With a case of meningitis, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord become infected and rapidly swell. This sudden inflammation can trigger severe symptoms and life-threatening health problems, such as damage to the brain and spinal cord if not treated quickly and properly. If you think you have meningitis, the pressure is on to soothe the swelling. Discover the different types of meningitis, its rising contraction rate and your risk, the most common symptoms, and the most effective treatments.
Sorts and sources of swelling
Meningitis is the inflammation of the delicate membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. The source of this serious swelling is an infection. The different types of meningitis are based on the causes of the infection, which can be viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. The two most common kinds are viral and bacterial meningitis. While that may seem like a minor distinction because they are both types of infections, not knowing the difference can be deadly, as you can see below:
- Viral meningitis – This is the most common and least severe kind of meningitis.
- Bacterial meningitis – While relatively rare, this type of meningitis is serious and can be fatal if not quickly treated.
The spread of meningitis
As with any infection, meningitis can spread from person to person. Both viral and bacterial infections are usually spread by coming into direct or indirect contact with droplets from an infected person’s nose, mouth, or body, which are spread through sneezing, coughing, or kissing. Bacterial meningitis can also be spread by eating contaminated food or poor hygiene, while viral meningitis can also be transmitted by coming into contact with infected insects. Each year, there are more than 2.5 million cases of meningitis worldwide.
Know your risk
Meningitis can affect anyone at any age, but certain factors can make you more vulnerable. The causes of concern that can substantially increase your risk include:
- Age – infants, teenagers, young adults, and older adults have the highest risk of meningitis
- Medical conditions – suffering from certain diseases or disorders that weaken your immune system can raise your risk
- Certain medicines – some medications can make you more susceptible to meningitis
- Contact with infected individuals – coming into contact with someone with meningitis can put you in danger of developing the disease
- Travel – visiting certain countries, particularly some African areas with higher rates of meningitis, can heighten your risk
- Living conditions – your risk rises living in crowded places and sharing small spaces, such as college dorms, boarding schools, and military barracks
- Not getting vaccinated – vaccinations can provide protection from meningitis
Indications of an infection
Infections are a part of life and often share the same symptoms and similarities; what they don’t share is their severity. At first, it can be difficult to distinguish whether you have a dangerous case of meningitis or just a common cold or the flu because these conditions often look and feel the same early on. Yet, adults and children tend to have slightly different symptoms than babies, so you need to know about both to help yourself and those you love. If you experience any of the following concerns, contact your SignatureMD-affiliated doctor immediately to be tested for the infection because a cold is an inconvenience, while meningitis is an emergency.
Common symptoms of meningitis include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Lack of energy
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Seizures
Babies may have the following symptoms:
- Irritability
- Being less active
- Vomiting
- Not wanting to eat
- Having a high-pitched cry
- Swelling in the soft spot on their head
The rush for a remedy
Getting treatment for meningitis can be a matter of life and death. With meningitis, the treatment depends on the type. Bacterial meningitis is a very serious infection that demands urgent medical attention and can be fatal without treatment. It’s typically treated with antibiotics, and it’s vital to start treatment as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage to your body or brain. Since viral meningitis is a much milder form of infection, it usually gets better on its own in a couple of weeks with bed rest and plenty of fluids.
Now that you know the danger of meningitis, spread the word to help prevent the spread of this potentially deadly disease.