Infectious Neurologic

Disorders:

Meningitis
 What is Meningitis?

• Infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the

fluid that surrounds the brain
• Viral or Bacterial
• Etiology is important because of the seriousness of
the illness and the treatment needed
 Viral Meningitis

• Usually clears up in a week or two with no specific

treatment
• Common; rarely serious infection of fluid in the spinal cord
or fluid that surrounds the brain
• Also called aseptic meningitis
 Causes of Viral Meningitis

• Caused by a number of different viruses

 mosquito-borne viruses
 occasionally seen after strep throat in young adults
 common intestinal viruses account for half of U.S. cases
per year
 Signs and Symptoms

• Usually occur one week after exposure

 Fever
 Headache
 Stiff neck
 Tiredness
 Rash
 Sore Throat
 Vomiting
 Treatment and Prevention

• No specific treatment for viral meningitis

• Antibiotics do not work on viruses
• Pay careful attention to personal hygiene
• Good hand-washing helps prevent spread of
infection and viruses
 Bacterial Meningitis

• A serious infection of the fluid of the spinal cord

and the fluid that surrounds the brain
• Results from bacterial invasion of membrane that
covers the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
• Meninges become swollen and inflamed, leading to
classic s/s of meningitis
 Causes of Bacterial Meningitis

• Three common bacteria:

 Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
 Neisseria meningitidis
 Causes Meningococcal Meningitis
 Streptococcus pneumoniae
 Causes Pneumococcal Meningitis
 How do people get Bacterial
Meningitis?
• Bacteria are spread through direct contact with
secretions from the nose or throat of an infected
person
• None of the bacteria that cause meningitis are very
contagious
• Not spread by casual contact or by simply
breathing the same air where the person infected
has been
 Signs and Symptoms

Under Age 2 Over age 2

• Fever • High fever
• Headache • Headache
• Stiff neck • Stiff neck
• Inactivity • Nausea and vomiting
• Vomiting • Sensitivity to light
• Poor feeding • Confusion
• Seizures • Sleepiness
 May be hard to detect in infants • Petechiae that spreads rapidly
• seizures
 Diagnosis & Treatment

• Diagnosed via lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

• Check for bacterial growth in the spinal fluid
• Antibiotic administration based on bacteria found
• Close contacts identified and treated also
• Early diagnosis and treatment important
 Potential Complications

• Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to brain

damage, coma, and death
• Survivors can suffer long-term hearing loss,
mental retardation, paralysis, and seizures
 Vaccinations

• Hib vaccine (3 doses by • Pneumococcal vaccine

6 months of age and a ineffective in persons
booster between 12-18 under age 2
months of age)  Recommended for all
• Meningococcal vaccine persons over age 65
not routinely given to with certain medical
problems
civilians in U.S.
because most outbreaks
occur in Africa
 Travel Precautions

• Check with your local health department if you are

planning to travel outside the country.
• If meningococcal vaccination is recommended or
required, it should be received at least one week
before departure if possible.
 Source

• American College Health Association, Baltimore,

MD (2007) www.acha.org/meningitis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007).
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningoco
ccal_g.htm
.