Meningitis Causes Symptoms, Treatment of Meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective layers of central nervous system. The protective layers are, Arachnoid, Durameter, and Piameter together called as meningeal layers. These layers are present in between the cranium and the brain and acts as the cushion to protect brain cells. Infection by several micro organisms, injury, and certain drugs may cause meningitis. The occurrence of meningitis varies from mild to severe form. Mild meningitis get relive very soon and severe cases of meningitis have to be treated with antibiotics for meningitis. Untreated meningitis may lead to severe neurological problems, lead to fatal condition.
Causes of meningitis
Meningitis may be caused by various bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi.
The usual bacteria causes meningitis is
-Neisseria meningitidis
-Haemophilus influenza
-Streptococcus pneumoniae
-Escherichia coli, are the main causes of meningitis.
The infection that causes meningitis usually occur secondary to other bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, endocarditis, sinusitis, encephalitis, or brain abscess.
Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Herpes simplex virus, Mumps virus, Lymphocytic chorio meningitis virus are the main viruses causes Meningitis in adults and all age groups.
Meningitis also occurs following head injury , skull fracture, penetrating head wound, lumbar puncture or ventricular shunting procedures.
Signs and symptoms of Meningitis
Headache is the main symptom of meningitis; associated with neck stiffness.
Due to meningeal infection, fever is present.
The person get irritability when exposed to bright light is called photophobia.
Phonophobia – irritability to tolerate loud noises.
Irritability, seizures, and delirium are found in small children with Meningitis.
Bulging of fontanels is seen in infants and is the easy symptoms to find meningitis in infants.
Diagnosis of Meningitis
on physical examination, signs and symptoms suspect the meningitis infection.
Blood test reveals increased white blood cells and culture test shows the infective organism.
Analysis of cerebro spinal fluid is done to confirm meningitis and cerebro spinal fluid is obtained by lumbar puncture.
Skull fracture or sinusitis is found using x – ray,
During lumbar puncture intra cranial pressure is assessed, and increased intracranial pressure indicates meningitis. The CSF pressure of over 180 Mm of water. The CSF in meningitis is cloudy or milky in appearance. High protein and less glucose in CSF also confirm meningitis.
Chest x- ray reveals pneumonitis or lung abscess, tubercular lesions.
The lumbar puncture is contraindicated in some cases due to chance of brain herniation. In such cases MRI (magnetic radio imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan are performed to find out any cerebral tissue changes such as cerebral edema, ischemia, cerebral hematoma, hemorrhage, or tumor.
Treatment of meningitis or Meningitis Treatment
Appropriate antibiotic therapy and vigorous supportive care is given to treat meningitis.
Usually for first two weeks intravenous antibiotics are given followed by oral antibiotics, such as penicillin G, ampicillin, or nafcillin.
If the person is allergic to penicillin, chloramphenical, tetracycline or kanamycins are given.
The supportive measures of meningitis treatment
Absolute bet rest is recommended for meningitis patients.
Reduce headache and fever by administering analgesics and Antipyretics, parenterally or enteral route.
Fluid therapy is given to prevent dehydration and also helps to administer antibiotics for meningitis treatment.
Give enough fruits to eat and enough energetic fluids to drink.
This is the information about Meningitis, causes of meningitis and symptoms of meningitis.