Welcome to What Is Spinal Meningitis
A good date to learn more about Spinal Meningitis, its symptoms, causes and Meningitis treatment is today
- Spinal meningitis is a serious or severe infection causing brain inflammation of the 
brain membranes covering the brain and the spinal-cord. Non-bacterial meningitis is often referred to as aseptic meningitis. Significantly more serious is bacterial meningitis and a chronic sometimes life-threatening severe medical condition.
A viral infection may result in viral meningitis which normally goes away without specific medical treatment or meds needed. However, bacterial infections are extremely serious. In fact, severe bacterial spinal meningitis may cause death or severe brain damage, even if medically treated. Most prevalent and important meningitis disease causes and risk factors are from mosquito bites, fungi, some chemicals, genital herpes, drug allergies, certain types of cancer and tumors.
Meningitis infection is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photophobia is sensitivity to light
- Altered mental state
Q: What is Spinal Meningitis?
A: Spinal Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain. Various meningitis disease conditions are commonly called "spinal meningitis". Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ depending on the cause. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and clears up without specific treatment. But bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Hib vaccine is now given to all children as part of their routine immunizations. This vaccine has reduced the number of cases of Hib infection and the number of related meningitis cases. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.
Q: What are the Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis?
A: High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. In newborns and small infants, the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect. Infants with meningitis may appear slow or inactive, have vomiting, be irritable, or be feeding poorly. As the disease progresses, patients of any age may have seizures.
Bacterial Meningitis
Q: How is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?
A: Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately. Spinal meningitis diagnosis is commonly made by growing bacteria from a sample of a patients spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal can be collected. Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics.
Q: Can bacterial meningitis be treated?
A: Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important, however, that treatment be started early in the course of the disease. Appropriate anti-biotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from spinal-meningitis to under 15%, although meningitis risk is highest among both the young and elderly.
Q: Is Bacterial Meningitis Contagious?
A: Yes, some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria can mainly be spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions. This can occur through coughing, kissing, and sneezing. Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
However, sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis have spread to other people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with spinal meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis - also called meningococcal meningitis or Hib. People in the same household or day-care center, or anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions, for example a boyfriend or girlfriend would be considered at increased risk of getting the infection.
People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningitis caused by N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from getting the disease. This is known as prophylaxis. Prophylaxis for household contacts of someone with Hib disease is only recommended if there is 1 household contact younger than 48 months who has not been fully immunized against Hib or an immunocompromised child (a child with a weakened immune system) of any age is in the household. The entire household, regardless of age, should receive prophylaxis in these cases.
Q: Are there vaccines for Spinal Meningitis?
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A: Yes, there are Spinal Meningitis shots to help protect against getting Bacterial Meningitis in particular. For example, Walgreen's now provides low-cost Meningitis shots at it's drug stores with no appointment needed. The Meningitis vaccines are safe and offer excellent protection.
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