Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTypesPneumococcal MeningitisRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionPrognosisSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Types
Pneumococcal Meningitis
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Prognosis
Summary
Early symptoms of bacterial meningitis may resemble those of acold, such as aheadacheandfever, but they may change quickly. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and requires treatment with antibiotics right away. It can cause permanent disabilities, and is considered a medical emergency.
Those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of developing bacterial meningitis.Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself against bacterial meningitis.
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The symptoms of bacterial meningitis often start out mild, and may resemble the symptoms of a cold orupper respiratory infection. They usually appear about three to seven days after exposure to bacteria.
Symptoms can quickly progress to a high fever and severe headache with a very stiff neck. If you are unable to look down to touch your chin to your chest, see your healthcare provider right away.
Many people also experience nausea and vomiting. Other common symptoms includephotophobiaand confusion. Later symptoms of meningitis are life-threatening, and includeseizuresand coma.
Bacterial Meningitis in Babies and ChildrenIn newborns, look at the fontanel on their head. This soft spot may appear to be bulging. If you notice a bulging fontanel or abnormal reflexes in your newborn, seek emergency treatment. Infants may appear to react slower than usual and seem irritable. They may not be interested in feeding and could vomit after nursing or drinking milk or formula from a bottle.
Bacterial Meningitis in Babies and Children
In newborns, look at the fontanel on their head. This soft spot may appear to be bulging. If you notice a bulging fontanel or abnormal reflexes in your newborn, seek emergency treatment. Infants may appear to react slower than usual and seem irritable. They may not be interested in feeding and could vomit after nursing or drinking milk or formula from a bottle.
Although these infections can cause meningitis, they usually don’t. So just being infected with one of these organisms doesn’t mean you are at high risk of meningitis.
Hib andS. pneumoniaeare spread when a sick person coughs or sneezes in close contact with others.
N. meningitidisis spread through respiratory or throat secretions like saliva. It is usually shared through kissing, coughing, or living in close contact.
Group BStreptococcuscan be passed from mother to infant during childbirth. All pregnant women should be tested for this bacteria prior to giving birth. If they are positive, antibiotics are given to prevent the newborn from becoming infected.
E. colican be spread through contaminated food when the person preparing it does not wash their hands after using the bathroom. It can also be spread from mother to infant during childbirth.
L. monocytogenesis also spread through contaminated food, and is dangerous to the fetus if a pregnant mother is exposed.
Pneumococcal meningitis is the most common and serious form of bacterial meningitis. This type of meningitis can lead to neurological damage. Each year there are about 6,000 new cases in the United States.
Groups most at risk of contracting pneumococcal meningitis are those with a compromised immune system or under two years of age. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available for some types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal Meningitis
This type of meningitis has a 10% to 15% death rate, and 10% to 15% of people who have this condition have permanent brain damage. Meningococcal meningitis is contagious, and it’s recommended that those living in close contact with someone who has it start prophylactic antibiotic therapy to be safe.
Haemophilus Meningitis
What Are the Different Types of Meningitis?
The risk factors for many types of bacterial meningitis are related to your risk of being exposed to the bacteria. Those living in close quarters with others or who work in a laboratory setting are at higher risk.
Risk factors for bacterial meningitis include:
Possible diagnostic tests include:
During a spinal tap, your medical professional will have you lie on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest if possible. They will then insert a thin needle between two of your vertebrae in the lower spine to remove spinal fluid and send it to the lab for testing.
Your healthcare provider will also examine the fluid first. Cerebrospinal fluid should be clear, but may appear cloudy in those with bacterial meningitis. Your practitioner may also recommend taking samples of your urine andmucus.
How to Spot a Meningitis Rash (And What to Do Next)
As soon as your healthcare provider diagnoses you with meningitis, you will be admitted to the hospital to receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics. A corticosteroid is often prescribed to help bring down the swelling around your brain and spinal cord. This can reduce the chance of complications due to the swelling.
Once your spinal tap reveals which type of bacteria is causing your meningitis, the medical team may switch to a more specific antibiotic that is effective against that bacteria. Treatment will also include IV nutrition as you may be dehydrated from not eating or if you have been vomiting. The length of the treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and how quickly your body responds to the medications.
Bacterial meningitis can lead to shock in the body. During shock, your blood pressure drops, and many organs and your limbs do not receive adequate blood supply. Shock can quickly result in death, so it is crucial to seek emergency treatment as soon as you suspect you have bacterial meningitis.
The best prevention for several types of bacterial meningitis is vaccination. Vaccines can prevent some types of bacterial meningitis:
Only the first of the three vaccines listed is specifically for meningitis. The other two are for bacterial infections that can sometimes, but usually don’t, cause meningitis.
Vaccines don’t protect against every strain of bacteria, so it’s best to use caution and talk to your healthcare provider if you believe you have been exposed. If someone in your household or dormitory has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, it’s possible that your practitioner may recommend starting an antibiotic to protect you from contracting it as well.
Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that can quickly become life-threatening. Early treatment is essential and may help reduce the chance of possible complications, such as:
Most people who receive treatment right away recover. The disease has a 10% death rate, so early intervention and treatment are crucial.
Bacterial meningitis is contagious and potentially life-threatening. It’s therefore important to avoid close contact with others and seek medical treatment right away if you have bacterial meningitis.
A Word From Verywell
Being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis is scary and may leave you feeling uncertain about the future. Remember that early intervention is important, and that most people who are treated early do recover. If you develop the classic symptoms of meningitis, such as a fever with a stiff neck, seek emergency treatment right away. The sooner your medical team administers IV antibiotics and a corticosteroid, the better you will be protected from possible complications.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis infection.Neurological Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.McGill F, Heyderman RS, Panagiotou S, Tunkel AR, Solomon T.Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):3036-3047. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30654-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria (Listeriosis).van de Beek D, Brouwer M, Hasbun R, Koedel U, Whitney CG, Wijdicks E.Community-acquired bacterial meningitis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Nov 3;2:16074. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.74Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial meningitis: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis infection.Neurological Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.McGill F, Heyderman RS, Panagiotou S, Tunkel AR, Solomon T.Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):3036-3047. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30654-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria (Listeriosis).van de Beek D, Brouwer M, Hasbun R, Koedel U, Whitney CG, Wijdicks E.Community-acquired bacterial meningitis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Nov 3;2:16074. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.74Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial meningitis: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Meningitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis infection.Neurological Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.McGill F, Heyderman RS, Panagiotou S, Tunkel AR, Solomon T.Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):3036-3047. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30654-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria (Listeriosis).van de Beek D, Brouwer M, Hasbun R, Koedel U, Whitney CG, Wijdicks E.Community-acquired bacterial meningitis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Nov 3;2:16074. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.74Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial meningitis: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention.
MedlinePlus.Meningitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bacterial meningitis infection.
Neurological Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.
McGill F, Heyderman RS, Panagiotou S, Tunkel AR, Solomon T.Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):3036-3047. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30654-7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria (Listeriosis).
van de Beek D, Brouwer M, Hasbun R, Koedel U, Whitney CG, Wijdicks E.Community-acquired bacterial meningitis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Nov 3;2:16074. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.74
Cleveland Clinic.Bacterial meningitis: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention.
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