Meningitis by

CDC Website

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:34:38 UTC

What is bacterial Meningitis?

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:39:40 UTC

Bacterial Meningitis- a bacterial infection of the meninges. The meninges are a protective covering for the brain and spinal cord and bacterial meningitis causes serious inflammation of the meninges causing pressure on the spinal cord and/or brain which could be life threatening.

Causative agent

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:42:39 UTC

Different types of bacteria can cause meningitis including:

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Group B Streptococcus
Neisseria meningitidis
Haemophilus and many others.

All of the bacteria listed can be spread person to person via sneezing and/or coughing.

Risk factors

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:49:07 UTC

Age
- People of any age can get meningitis but younger and older people have a weakened immune system leading their immune systems to be more susceptible.
Community
- This is a highly contagious infection which tends to spread from person to person and tend to spread where large groups of people gather.
Pre Existing medical conditions
- Immune suppressing medical conditions weaken the persons immune system making them more vulnerable to other bacteria/viruses etc.
  - Examples of pre existing medical conditions consist of HIV, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Travel
- Certain areas have an increased risk for these bacteria that cause meningitis such as sub-Saharan Africa and Mecca.

Signs and symptoms

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:52:02 UTC

Sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confused.
In babies the symptoms listed above may be present but also include inactivity, irritable, not feeding as usual, bulging soft spot, and abnormal reflexes.

Diagnosis & treatment

dkt1 — 2023-12-04 18:59:35 UTC

Blood work
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Meningitis must be treated with IV antibiotics as soon as possible to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of further complications associated. Corticosteroids may be needed depending on the severity of the swelling.

Emerging threats

dkt1 — 2023-12-09 03:17:05 UTC

Highlighted orange in the picture above is known as the African meningitis belt where yearly outbreaks of cerebrospinal meningitis affects anywhere from 10 to 100 cases per 100000. Typically every 8 to 12 years explosive epidemics occur where numbers can exceed 1000 cases per 100000. The next explosive pandemic is expected to occur between 2024 and 2028 using the reactive vaccination strategy.

Infographic

dkt1 — 2023-12-09 03:19:29 UTC

Featured Scientist

dkt1 — 2023-12-09 03:24:43 UTC

Emil Gotschlich

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10466086/

Emil recently passed away in 2023, but he has left an impactful mark behind. Take a look at his adventure through life, it's truly inspirational.

Fast facts

dkt1 — 2023-12-09 03:31:57 UTC

College students who live in dorms are 23 times more likely to contact meningococcal B!
A rash that does not fade under pressure can be a sign of meningococcal septicaemia.
Meningitis can be spread through kissing.
Different types of meningitis peak at different times of the year.