We call meningitis an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The meninges are the name for these linings. Head, body, or neck pain may be a sign of meningitis since inflammation in the brain, and spinal cord can cause these symptoms. In some cases of meningitis, symptoms resolve independently within a few weeks. However, others can be fatal if not treated immediately with antibiotics.

The Various Forms of Meningitis

Meningitis is often brought on by a bacterial or viral infection. Besides viral meningitis, several bacterial strains can cause the disease as well. Fungal cryptococcal and cancerous carcinomatous infections are two such cases. A smaller percentage of people exhibit these characteristics.

Viral Meningitis

The majority of cases of meningitis are caused by viruses. The Enterovirus family of viruses is responsible for roughly 52% of adult infections and 58% of cases in babies. These tend to occur more frequently in the warmer months of the year.

• coxsackievirus A
• coxsackievirus B
• echoviruses

About 10–15 million infections a year are caused by Enteroviruses. However, only a fraction of those infected will develop meningitis.

Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis caused by bacteria is very infectious and can spread quickly. In the absence of medical attention, it can be deadly. Bacterial meningitis has a mortality rate of about 10%, with another 20% suffering significant sequelae. Even with the best care, this is sometimes the case.

Fungal Meningitis

Although meningitis may affect anybody, fungal meningitis is extremely uncommon. Fungal infection travels through the body and eventually reaches the central nervous system. Fungal meningitis is more common in people who already have compromised immune systems. Those with terminal illnesses like cancer or HIV/AIDS fall into this category.

Parasitic Meningitis

Parasites found in the soil or excrement or on animals or food like snails, uncooked fish, chicken, or veggies, are the rare but real cause of parasitic meningitis. Some parasitic forms of meningitis are far less common than others. The medical term for this condition is eosinophilic meningitis. Three major parasites cause EM.

Chronic Meningitis

Meningitis that lasts longer than 4 weeks is considered to be this kind. Fungal infections, rheumatologic disorders, and malignant tumors are only a few of the many possible root causes of chronic meningitis. Treatments should focus on eliminating the underlying cause when dealing with persistent meningitis.

What Exactly Are The Root Causes of Meningitis?

Although there are a few distinct causes of meningitis, they all have the same effects: A microorganism (bacteria, fungus, virus, or parasite) makes its way to the central nervous system (CNS) and causes damage there.

There, it grows into a more severe infection in the lining or fluids around these crucial bodily organs. Unlike infectious meningitis, which is caused by bacteria or viruses, non-infectious meningitis is brought on by something other than an injury.

Meningitis: Is There A Vaccine For It?

Several strains of bacterial meningitis can be prevented using a vaccination. The meningococcal type, caused by Neisseria meningitides, is preventable with a vaccination. Bacterial meningitis is more deadly if not treated promptly, while viral meningitis is more prevalent. Therefore, the two main meningitis vaccines target bacteria:

• The vaccination in the meningococcal conjugate protects against four of the most prevalent bacterial serotypes. In particular, if you keep up with booster doses, the effects will stay longer, and the protection they provide will be stronger.
• Meningococcal serogroup B vaccination protects only against one strain, and its effectiveness period is substantially shorter. This vaccination is only approved for use in specific populations.

How Easily Can Meningitis Spread?

Some strains of meningitis are not infectious. Meningitis caused by fungi, parasites, or other infectious diseases is not communicable. Infectious diseases like meningitis caused by viruses are spread easily.

Contact with infectious bodily fluids, such as mucus, feces, or saliva, is the primary transmission route. Sneezing and coughing release droplets of fluid, which can then be inhaled and transferred to other people. This disease can be spread by casual contact with an affected individual.

Acute Bacterial Meningitis In Adults

After reaching maturity, a person is at a lower risk of developing some meningitis. That's owing, in large part, to the fact that things have shifted. Some strains of meningitis are easily spread in institutional settings like schools and dormitories.

The risk of becoming infected decreases after a young adult no longer frequents these places. However, the elderly are especially vulnerable because of their weakened immune systems, and illnesses spread rapidly in assisted living facilities.

Conclusion

Inflammation of the cerebrospinal fluid and the three encasing membranes can cause meningitis, which affects the brain and spinal cord. When the fluid that surrounds these membranes becomes contaminated, meningitis can develop.

In severe cases, meningitis might even be fatal if not treated promptly. On the bright side, vaccinations against meningitis are available for preteens, teenagers, and adults who are at increased risk due to their age or other factors.