Understanding Meningitis
Meningitis Overview
Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening
disease, and involves an inflammation of the membranes that
cover the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges.
This inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors,
including bacterial infections and viral infections, and also by
some species of fungi, protozoa, and other parasites.
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Some medications, some cancers, or various other diseases can
also inflame the meninges, although these non-infectious causes
tend to be very rare.
The most common symptoms include fever, lethargy, irritability,
headaches, photophobia (eye sensitivity to light), and a stiff
neck, but there can be a range of other symptoms as well.
Newborns and infants with meningitis may not show all of these
common symptoms. Instead they may simply be extremely irritable
or lethargic.
When someone becomes infected with a particular bacterium or
virus that has been associated with meningitis, it does not mean
that the person will automatically get meningitis.
In most cases, the particular micro-organism will simply cause
its usual infection. However, in other cases, the micro-organism
may cause meningitis without the person becoming ill or showing
any symptoms. Even though they may have no signs or symptoms of
disease, they can still spread the germ and infect others.
In other cases, the person will develop full-blown meningitis,
which is a serious and potentially life threatening disease.
If you suspect that you or your child has Meningitis seek
immediate professional medical advice.
Meningitis At a Glance ...