$Unique_ID{BRK01209}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Where Does Meningitis Come From?}
$Subject{meningitis infections nervous system systems bacterial viral bacteria
neisseria meningitidis streptococcus pneumoniae hemophilus influenzae
pneumococci swelling connective tissues brain spinal cord infection virus
bacterium meningitides}
$Volume{A-1, F-1}
$Log{
Protective Coverings of the Brain*0002302.scf
Purulent Meningitis of the Brain*0002506.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Where Does Meningitis Come From?


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QUESTION:  Our grandson has just recovered from a serious fight with an
infection called "meningitis".  It seemed to come from nowhere, with scarcely
a symptom before he was deathly ill.  Would you please tell us where this
infection could have come from, and what types of treatments are available to
cure it?  Although everything is now all right, the family is still curious to
find out as much as possible about the disease.

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ANSWER:  I can understand your curiosity and am happy to provide you with some
information.  Meningitis is a painful swelling of the connective tissues that
enclose the brain and spinal cord due to bacterial or viral infections.  Its
symptoms include an intense headache, fever, loss of appetite, intolerance to
light and sound, neck and back stiffness, and rigidity of the hamstring
muscles in the back of the legs.  In severe cases convulsions, vomiting, and
delirium may even lead to death.
     About 80 percent of all cases caused by bacteria can be the result of
infections by one of three common bacteria.  They are N. meningitidis,
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae.  These bacteria abound in
the environment and such factors as age, head trauma and diseases which reduce
the effectiveness of the body's immune system may influence which bacteria
becomes the infecting agent.
     The infection is spread through small droplets of liquid in the air
coming from the respiratory system of an infected person and by close
contact, and is often spread by people who either display no immediate
symptoms or have only a sore throat.  Transmission can occur through the route
afforded by intimate kissing, a practice which should be avoided whenever an
infection is suspected to be present.
     Pneumococcus meningitis is most common in adults, originating from
infections in the sinuses, ears, and respiratory tract.
     H. influenzae (the most prevalent form of meningitis in children) tends
to affect children 6 months to 3 years old and accounts for 50% of all
meningitis cases.  Middle ear infections are the primary culprit, and deafness
may occur within 36 hours after symptoms begin.
     A positive diagnosis for these forms of bacterial meningitis is usually
made by studying samples of the patient's blood, spinal fluid, or both.
Treatment with antibiotics are usually quite effective, and since the disease
is so serious, are prescribed when the diagnosis is probable without waiting
for the identification of the specific type of bacteria.
     Viral causes of meningitis (even though the symptoms may be the same) are
much harder to manage.  Unlike bacteria, which are simple one cell organisms
that reproduce by cell division and can be affected by a number of available
antibiotics, viruses (which can only multiply inside the cells within the
body) are infecting organisms which do not respond to treatment with the same
antibiotics that are so successful against bacteria.  And diagnosis can be
tricky, depending on the results of throat and stool cultures as well as
certain cell changes in the spinal fluid that only occur during a viral
infection.
     When the disease is caused by a virus, such as the kind that are
responsible for mumps, mononucleosis or infectious hepatitis, the severity of
the disease can range from one with no symptoms at all to one which is most
severe.  However even these desperately ill patients may recover completely.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.