Meningitis (Adults/Children)

What is it?

A Bacterial infection (more harmful) or a virus infection (less harmful) that causes swelling of meninges (a protective wall that surrounds the brain and spinal cord causing damage to nerves and brain).

This bacteria lives in the nasal passages causing no harm, however if entered in the bloodstream. It can cause septicaemia.
If the infection enters the brain it causes meningitis.
One can have both meningitis and septicaemia (meningococcal septicaemia).
Once a person is infected it takes from two to ten days for infection to show symptoms.

Do not take Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs as it can worsen the condition. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Direct contact:
- If infected person is of close proximity, talking, sneezes, cough, kissing and one breathes the bacteria/virus in.
Indirect contact:
- bacteria/Virus is on surface and another touches the surface and then touch their mouth or nose.
- Sharing utensils and towels

Bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis):
- Scarlet fever (streptococci)
- Tropical pyomyositis (Staphylococci aureus and streptococci)
- Actinomycosis (Actinomyces genus, Actinomyces israelii)
- Melioidosis (Burkholderia)
- Cold and flu infection (Haemophilus influenza B)
- Leptospirosis (Leptospira)
- Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)
- Pneumonia (streptoccoi pneumoniae)
- Food poisoning (E.coli)
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Tuberculosis
Virus:
- Enteroviruses (most common between June and October)
- Encephalitis (Any virus)
- Tick-borne Encephalitis (Flavivirus)
- Japanese Encephalitis (Flavivirus)
- West Nile virus (Flavivirus)
- Croup
- Parainfluenza I
- Parainfluenza II
- Parainfluenza III
- Influenza A and B (flu viruses)
- Mumps
- Chicken pox
- Measles
- German measles
- Rubella virus
- Herpes-simplex virus (cold sore virus)
- Shingles
- Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox virus)
- H.I.V
- Adenovirus
- Rhinovirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Pneumonia (Mycoplasma pneumoniae)
- Glandular fever (Epstein-Barr, Cytomegalovirus, Rubella virus)
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Person prone to infection:
- Passive smoking
- Abnormal spleen function
- Severe weak immune system
- Neurosurgery (surgery on nerve conditions)
- Person in close contact with an infected person via air droplets
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

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Symptoms

High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats?
Headache (severe)?
Stiff neck?
Purpuric Spot/rash (does not turn white under pressure)?
Rapid breathing and grunting and/or persistent hiccups?
Hate of bright lights?
Cold hands and feet?
Severe muscle pain?
Nausea and Vomiting?
Stomach cramps and diarrhoea?
Sleepiness (drowsy, difficult to wake)?
Confusion/delirious (irritated)?
Seizure/fits?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

General tips

Avoid gatherings with friends and family as well as crowded places.
Social distancing guide
Self isolation guide
Coughing and sneezing into tissues and then bin it, if you have no tissue then in the crook (inside) of your elbow.
Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with infected people (2 meter distance)
Do not share towels and utensils, dishes , drinking glasses
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
How to wash Hands

H.I.V test

A H.I.V test should be offered if one has this condition.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Naegleria Infection and Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (Medical emergency)

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Meningitis (Adults/Children) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
Medscape
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Pharmaceutical Journal
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Healthline
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Medical News Today
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WebMD
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Cleveland Clinic
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Mayo Clinic
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Drugs.com
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National Organisation of Rare Diseases
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Verywell Health
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Fit for Travel
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DR Axe
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