Meningitis Created By: VSU Student Health Center Nursing Staff

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MeningitisCreated By VSU Student Health
Center Nursing Staff
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What is Meningitis?

• 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

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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

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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

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Signs and Symptoms

• Usually occur one week after exposure
• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Tiredness
• Rash
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting

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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

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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

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Causes of Bacterial Meningitis

• Three common bacteria
• Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Causes Meningococcal Meningitis
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Causes Pneumococcal Meningitis

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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

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Signs and Symptoms

• Under Age 2

• Over age 2

• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Inactivity
• Vomiting
• Poor feeding
• Seizures
• May be hard to detect in infants

• High fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Petechiae that spreads rapidly
• seizures

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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

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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

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Vaccinations

• Hib vaccine (3 doses by 6 months of age and a
  booster between 12-18 months of age)
• Meningococcal vaccine not routinely given to
  civilians in U.S. because most outbreaks occur in
  Africa

• Pneumococcal vaccine ineffective in persons under
  age 2
• Recommended for all persons over age 65 with
  certain medical problems

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Travel Precautions

• Check with your local health department if you
  are planning to travel outside the country.
• If meningococcal vaccination is recommended or
  required, it should be received at least one week
  before departure if possible.

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Source

• American College Health Association, Baltimore,
  MD (2007) www.acha.org/meningitis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (2007). www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/mening
  ococcal_g.htm.