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Meningitis: Infections
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Meningitis is an infection of the fluid in a person's spinal cord and of the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis can be caused by either 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. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is ... important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.
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Meningitis is an infection of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is less severe and usually resolves without treatment. Bacterial meningitis is generally more serious and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability or death. Meningitis is relatively rare (1.5 cases per 100,000 in the U.S) but there is evidence that first-year students living in residence halls are at higher risk.
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Meningitis infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Penicillin and cephalosporins (pronounced seff-a-lo-SPORE-inz) are commonly used. Special methods are necessary for giving these drugs... because of the blood-brain barrier. The usual procedure is to inject large quantities of an antibiotic directly into a person's bloodstream. If the concentration of drugs is high enough, some will get through the blood-brain barrier and into the meninges.
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Meningitis and encephalitis are inflammatory diseases of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and are caused by bacterial or viral infections. Viral meningitis is sometimes called aseptic meningitis to indicate it is not the result of bacterial infection and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of encephalitis include sudden fever, headache, vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light, stiff neck and back, confusion and impaired judgment, drowsiness, weak muscles, a clumsy and unsteady gait, and irritability. Symptoms that might require emergency treatment include loss of consciousness, seizures, muscle weakness, or sudden severe dementia.
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Meningitis is usually caused by infection from a bacterium or virus that has penetrated the nervous system. Most cases of meningitis are caused by bacterial or viral infection, although meningitis can ... be caused by other conditions, such as allergic reactions to drugs, fungi, or parasites.
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Meningitis may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, head injuries, infections in other parts of the body, and other factors. The type of meningitis a person is most likely to contract depends on his or her age, habits, living environment, and health status.
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