|
|
Meningitis
Definition Meningitis is an infection which causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Non-bacterial meningitis is often referred to as "aseptic meningitis." Bacterial meningitis may be referred to as "purulent meningitis."
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The most common causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually resolve without treatment. However, bacterial infections of the meninges are extremely serious illnesses, and may result in death or brain damage even if treated. Meningitis is also caused by fungi, chemical irritation or drug allergies, and tumors.
Types include:
Acute bacterial meningitis is a true medical emergency, and requires immediate hospital-based treatment. Bacterial strains that cause meningitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Listeria monocytogenes, and many other types of bacteria. In the U.S. about 17,500 cases of bacterial meningitis occur each year.
Viral meningitis is milder and occurs more often than bacterial meningitis. It usually develops in the late summer and early fall, often affects children and adults under 30. Seventy percent of the infections occur in children under the age of 5. Most viral meningitis is associated with enteroviruses, which are viruses that commonly cause stomach flu. However, many other types of viruses can also cause meningitis; for example, viral meningitis may occur as a complication in people with genital herpes.
Today's Top News Stories | • | Sen. Edward Kennedy Hospitalized After Seizure - May 17, 2008, 16:51
His carotid artery was cleared of a partial blockage last fall. | • | Cheaper Earrings More Likely to Contain Nickel - May 17, 2008, 09:00
But report could not establish safe-limit price as guide for avoiding exposure. | • | FDA Panel Considers Toll-Free Number for TV Drug Ads - May 17, 2008, 07:00
Consumers could report side effects, but critics want agency to act, not wait years. | • | Not All Colon Cancer Patients Need Chemotherapy: Study - May 16, 2008, 14:00
DNA mismatch in some early stage cases makes therapy of little benefit, shortens survival. | • | Clinical Trials Update: May 16, 2008 - May 16, 2008, 10:40
- Adenocarcinoma
- Migraine and Cluster Headaches
- Pancreatic Cancer
|
|
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Meningitis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Meningitis Symptoms & Signs
• Meningitis Prevention
• Meningitis Diagnosis & Tests
• Meningitis Treatment
• Meningitis Prognosis
• Meningitis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Abscess
• Aseptic Meningitis
• Meningitis - Cryptococcal
• Meningitis - Gram Negative
• Meningitis - H. Influenzae
• Meningitis - Meningococcal
• Meningitis - Pneumococcal
• Meningitis - Staphylococcal
• Meningitis - Tuberculous
• Syphilitic Aseptic Meningitis
Tests & Exams
• Chest X-Ray
• Cranial CT Scan
• CSF Cell Count
• CSF Collection
• CSF Culture
• CSF Glucose
Other Topics
• Acute
• Agitation
• Blindness
• Confusion
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Fever
• Headache
• Hearing Loss
• Intravenous
• Joint Pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Opisthotonos
• Rapid Deep Breathing (Hyperventilation)
• Seizures
• Shock
• Swelling
• Vision - Light Sensitive
Review Date : 2/7/2002
Reviewed By : Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial. (2/7/2002). Previous review: David N. Fisman, M.D., M.P.H., FRCP(C). Hamilton Department of Social and Public Health Services, and McMaster University Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.(9/8/2001).
|
|
