What is Meningitis?

Dr-Fayaaz Chandio PT, DPT

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which, if
severe, may become encephalitis, an inflammation of
the brain.

• Infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that
surrounds the brain

• Viral or Bacterial

• Etiology is important because of the seriousness of the

illness and the treatment needed
 Causes of Meningitis
- Bacterial Infections
- Viral Infections
- Fungal Infections
(Cryptococcus neoformans
Coccidiodes immitus)
- Inflammatory diseases
- Cancer
- Trauma to head or spine.
 Viral Meningitis

• Usually clears up in a week or two with

no specific treatment

• Common; rarely serious infection of

fluid in the spinal cord or fluid that
surrounds the brain

• Also called aseptic meningitis

 Causes of Viral Meningitis
• Caused by a number of different viruses

mosquito-borne viruses

occasionally seen after strep throat in

young adults

common intestinal viruses account for

half of U.S. cases per year
 Signs and Symptoms
• Usually occur one week after exposure
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Tiredness
Rash
Sore Throat
Vomiting
 Treatment and Prevention
• No specific treatment for viral meningitis

• Antibiotics do not work on viruses

• Pay careful attention to personal hygiene

• Good hand-washing helps prevent

spread of infection and viruses
 Bacterial Meningitis
• A serious infection of the fluid of the spinal
cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain

• Results from bacterial invasion of

membrane that covers the brain and spinal
cord (meninges)

• Meninges become swollen and inflamed,

leading to classic s/s of meningitis
 Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
• Pneumococcal, Streptococcus pneumoniae
(38%)

• Meningococcal, Neisseria meningitidis (14%)

• Haemophilus influenzae (4%)

• Staphylococcal, Staphylococcus aureus (5%)

• Tuberculous, Mycobacterium tuberculosis

 How do people get Bacterial
Meningitis?
• Bacteria are spread through direct contact with
secretions from the nose or throat of an
infected person

• None of the bacteria that cause meningitis are

very contagious

• Not spread by casual contact or by simply

breathing the same air where the person
infected has been sitting
 Signs and Symptoms
Under Age 2 Over age 2
• Fever • High fever
• Headache • Headache
• Stiff neck • Stiff neck
• Inactivity • Nausea and vomiting
• Vomiting • Sensitivity to light
• Poor feeding • Confusion
• Seizures • Sleepiness
 May be hard to detect in • Petechiae that spreads
infants rapidly
• seizures
 Diagnosis & Treatment
• Diagnosed via lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

• Check for bacterial growth in the spinal fluid

• Antibiotic administration based on bacteria found

• Close contacts identified and treated also

• Early diagnosis and treatment important

 Potential Complications
• Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to
brain damage, coma, and death

• Survivors can suffer long-term hearing

loss, mental retardation, paralysis, and
seizures
 Vaccinations
• Hib vaccine (3 doses • Pneumococcal vaccine
by 6 months of age ineffective in persons
and a booster under age 2
between 12-18 Recommended for all
months of age) persons over age 65
with certain medical
problems