What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. usually triggered by the spread of infection; most infections may viral but bacterial and fungal infection can cause meningitis.
Three types of infections that may cause meningitis
Most common are vial infections.
Bacterial infections which can be life threatening; bacterial meningitis happens when the bacteria enters the bloodstream and invades the brain and spinal cord. It can also happen when the bacteria finds its way to the meninges due to an ear or sinus infection or even a skull fracture.
Fungal meningitis is less common but causes chronic meningitis at times it can mimic acute bacterial meningitis. One of the common fungal form is cryptococcal meningitis that usually affect people with auto immune diseases such as AIDS or Lupus. Fungal meningitis may be life threatening if gone untreated and must be treated with anti-fungal medication.
Treatment
Viral meningitis usually runs its course without the need of antibiotics, normally taking one to two weeks with bed rest, non-prescribed medication to try symptoms such as fever and body aches, and lots of fluids.
Bacterial meningitis requires immediate medical attention and must be treated with IV medication.
Fungal meningitis must be treated after confirming that it is fungal due to side effects secondary to treatment.
It is very common among college students, I believe they are now taking preventive measures by requiring all students under the age 30 and first time students to be immunized before attending school. It was scary at first, I had no knowledge of meningitis till I read a brochure on campus. As students we should all get informed since we are at high risk of infection.
ReplyDeleteMeningitis has been a huge topic heard of nowadays. Doctors have been taking measures about the dangers this virus could bring to the young generation. It is good to be informed about meningitis from how it becomes to be and the dangers it causes.
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