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Meningitis: Bacteria
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Meningitis (pronounced meh-nen-JI-tiss) is an inflammation of the meninges (pronounced meh-NIN-jeez). The meninges are the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is most commonly caused by infection (by bacteria, viruses, or fungi). It can ... be caused by bleeding into the meninges, cancer (see cancer entry), diseases of the immune system, and other factors. The most dangerous forms of meningitis are those caused by bacteria. The disease is very serious and can be fatal.
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Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which arethe membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. The meninges can be infected by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Rarely, meningitis may ... be caused by trauma, some medications, cancers or other diseases. Anyone can develop meningitis, although young children are particularly susceptible to the disease. Children under the age of 2 years are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
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Meningitis is not highly contagious. Both viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis can be spread through direct contact with nose and throat secretions. Healthy persons, who have no signs of illness, can have these bacteria in their nose or throat and spread them to others. Sharing a glass, cup or eating utensil, coughing or sneezing into the face of another person, or sharing a cigarette are examples of how contact with another person's respiratory secretions might occur.
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Meningitis that affects babies up to 2 or 3 months old is called neonatal meningitis. Whether viral or bacterial, it can be very serious. But in older babies and children, when meningitis is caused by a virus, it's typically milder and goes away on it own within ten days. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, comes on fast and is very serious.
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Meningitis can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria (the most serious), viruses, fungi, reactions to medications, and environmental toxins such as heavy metals. Although bacterial and fungal meningitis require extended hospitalization, meningitis caused by viruses can often be treated at home and has a much better outcome.
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Meningitis is diagnosed by testing some of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord for disease-causing bacteria or infection-fighting cells. The fluid is removed from the spinal cord with a needle in a procedure known as a spinal tap or lumbar puncture.
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