Meningitis

The term meningitis is a serious disease that causes swelling of the protective membrane called meninges that covers the spinal cord and brain. A discussion on the overview of the concerned disease and its symptoms in the human body is made. This study also includes causes, risk factors, and preventive measures for Meningitis. By the end of this guide, an idea about the meningitis symptoms could be analyzed.

Overview of meningitis

Meningitis is a serious disease in which there is inflammation of the membranes and fluids, which surrounds the spinal cord and brain of an individual. The swelling from the specified disease typically triggers symptoms such as a stiff neck, fever, and headache. Most cases of Meningitis in India are caused because of viral infections. However, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections also cause meningitis in India. It has been observed that some meningitis can be life-threatening and some can be improved without treatment in a few weeks. An individual having untreated meningitis can lead to neurological damages such as memory loss, brain damage, learning disabilities, and gait problems. In addition, it also includes kidney failure, shock, and death. In Bihar, an Indian state, approximately 8871 meningitis cases have been reported in 2015. In 2018, the highest prevalence of about 55.3% was noted within children from the age group of 1-11 months.

Causes of meningitis 

In India, the total number of individuals suffering from meningitis in recent times is around 12,002 where the number of males and females are 5379 and 6623 respectively. Among the total number of cases, the total number of deaths from meningitis was around 172 in the year 2015. 

Bacterial meningitis: Bacteria that enter the bloodstream of an individual and travel to the spinal cord and brain cause acute bacterial meningitis. This may be caused by a skull fracture and sinus or ear infection. Several bacteria cause acute bacterial meningitis such as follows:

• Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus)
• Haemophilus influenza (Haemophilus)
• Listeria monocytogenes (listeria)
• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)

Viral meningitis: Enteroviruses is the main virus that causes viral meningitis. The others include herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, HIV, and mumps virus.  

Chronic meningitis: A slow-growing organism such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and fungi that invades the fluid and membrane surrounding the brain causes chronic meningitis.  

Fungal meningitis: This type of meningitis is very uncommon in India. It is caused by the fungal spore that is found in bird dropping, soil, and decaying wood. 

Symptoms of meningitis 

Meningitis Symptoms can develop within a few hours or over a few days. Early symptoms of the disease may mimic the flu. 

Possible symptoms of meningitis in an individual older than the age of 2 include:

• Headache with nausea or vomiting
• Sleeping or difficulty walking
• Sensitivity to light
• Stiff neck
• Sudden high fever
• No appetite or thirst
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Looks confused
• Skin rash

Infants and newborns may show different symptoms and signs that include:

• Constant crying
• High fever
• Inactivity or sluggishness
• Poor feeding
• Not walking to eat
• Excessive sleepiness or irritability 
• Vomiting
• Stiffness in the neck and body
• Difficulty waking from sleep 

Risk factor for meningitis 

Risk factors for Meningitis include:

Age: Most cases of viral meningitis in India occur under the age of five and bacterial meningitis commonly occurs under the age of twenty. 

Skipping vaccination: The risk of the concerned disease increases for an individual when they have not completed the required adulthood and childhood vaccination schedules on time.

Pregnancy: During pregnancy the risk of listeriosis increases which is caused by listeria bacteria. Therefore, this bacterium can also cause bacterial meningitis. 

Living in a community setting: Children in boarding school, college students in dormitories, and child care facilities are at a greater risk of meningococcal meningitis. 

Compromised immune system: Use of immunosuppressant drugs, alcoholism, diabetes, AIDS that affect the immune system can make an individual more susceptible to meningitis. 

Prevention

Viruses and common bacteria caused by meningitis can be spread through sneezing, sharing eating utensils, coughing, or sharing cigarettes. Therefore, prevention of meningitis includes different steps such as follows: 

• Washing hands with soap or hand wash
• Practising good hygiene 
• Covering of mouth such as the use of a mask while travelling, and talking.
• Pregnant women should take care while the food intake process
• Living a healthy life
• Consulting doctor at an early stage of meningitis 

Conclusion

The analysis about the reasons for Meningitis Has been elaborated precisely. An elaboration about factors that cause meningitis such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. In addition, it also highlights Meningitis symptoms that an individual persists in have been mentioned. Furthermore, a discussion about the protective membrane of the brain and spinal cord which is the meninges is comprehended. A conclusion can be drawn regarding the adoption of preventive measures such as taking personal care, washing hands daily, covering the mouth, and taking vaccines are evaluated.