In this article
The term meningitis means that the membranes around the brain and spinal cord are infected or inflamed. Meningitis can affect anyone, however it is most common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults.
If meningitis is not treated quickly, it can become very serious and can cause life-threatening complications like sepsis and if it is not treated at all, then it can result in permanent brain damage or nerve damage, amputations and death.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the meninges – the lining that protects and surrounds the spinal cord and brain. This inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection and is life-threatening. The illness is most prevalent in the young – particularly those aged between 15 and 24.
The signs and symptoms are:
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Stiff neck.
- Confusion.
Fungal Meningitis
Fungal meningitis can sometimes occur if a fungal infection is able to spread to the brain or spinal cord from elsewhere in the body. The pathogen responsible for causing a fungal infection that can lead to meningitis can be found in various places within the environment.
The signs and symptoms are:
- Feeling confused or disordered thinking.
- High temperature.
- Sickness.
- Stiff neck.
Non-Infectious Meningitis
Non-infectious meningitis is aseptic meningitis and it is an uncommon cause of the condition. Some of the main culprits that result in non-infectious meningitis are medical conditions that already cause inflammation in other parts of the body, like autoimmune conditions.
The signs and symptoms are:
- Stiff neck – like it is painful to put your chin towards your chest.
- Photophobia (being sensitive to light).
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
Parasitic Meningitis
Parasitic meningitis is a rare form of the meningitis disease, a parasite is an organism that lives on or something else. This thing acts like its host, and the parasite feeds off its host to survive, the parasite itself is not a disease but it can cause and spread diseases such as meningitis.
The signs and symptoms in children and babies:
- Vomiting.
- Constant crying.
- A bulge in the soft spot on top of a baby’s head.
- Skin rashes.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is a condition which results in inflammation of membranes, or meninges, in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is the least aggressive type and, for most people, it rarely becomes dangerous, however, in some cases it can be life-threatening.
The signs and symptoms in children and babies:
- No appetite.
- Distress when they are touched.
- Fast breathing.
- Crying in a non-typical way.
Infection Control
Just £20
Study online and gain a full CPD certificate posted out to you the very next working day.
