Tag Archives: meningitis

Spinal Meningitis

Posted on by

Spinal meningitis, or meningitis, is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The meninges protect the brain and spinal cord from injury and provide support and structure. They contain nerves, blood vessels, and cerebrospinal fluid.

Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States. Bacteria, parasites, fungi, and non-infectious conditions, such as cancer or head injuries, can also cause meningitis.

The types of meningitis are typically named for the cause of inflammation or how long you’ve had symptoms. They include:

  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Viral meningitis
  • Fungal meningitis
  • Parasitic meningitis
  • Primary amebic meningitis (PAM)
  • Drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM)
  • Chronic meningitis
  • Acute meningitis

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of meningitis, including:

  • Age- Viral meningitis most often happens in children younger than five years old
  • Not getting vaccinations
  • Living in a group setting, such as a college dorm
  • Pregnancy
  • A weakened immune system
  • Not having a spleen

The symptoms of meningitis can be different in babies than in children and adults.

Symptoms of meningitis in children and adults include:

  • Neck stiffness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion or an altered mental state
  • Lack of energy, extreme sleepiness, or trouble waking up
  • Lack of appetite
  • Small round spots that look like a rash

You might experience additional symptoms of amebic meningitis a few days after your initial symptoms, including:

  • Hallucinations
  • Loss of balance
  • Lack of attention or focus

A baby might not experience the same meningitis symptoms as adults, such as headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Some signs of meningitis you can look for in babies include:

  • Bulging “soft spot” on the baby’s head
  • Poor eating
  • Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
  • Low energy or slower responses

A healthcare provider will diagnose meningitis by performing a physical exam, asking about your symptoms, and testing your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They may also ask if you’ve been around anyone with certain illnesses or traveled recently, get a blood or poop sample, swab your nose or throat, or order brain imaging.

The treatment for meningitis depends on the cause. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis, and antifungals are used to treat fungal meningitis. Antivirals can be used to treat some viral causes of meningitis. Non-infectious causes of meningitis are treated by addressing the underlying illness or injury.

There are no specific treatments for other infectious causes of meningitis. Medications might be used to reduce inflammation or relieve symptoms.

Meningitis is highly contagious. If you think you have meningitis, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment to see if you have meningitis, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Flushing Hospital Shares Facts About Meningitis

Posted on by

This Sunday, April 24 in World Meningitis Awareness Day and Flushing Hospital Medical Center wants to share the following facts about meningitis.

Word Meningitis on a book and pills.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid that covers the brain and spinal cord. It is an extremely serious condition that can result in death. Although anyone can develop meningitis, those most at risk are children under five and adolescents between 15-19 years old.
There are two main kinds of meningitis:

Bacterial meningitis is the more severe form of the disease and requires treatment in a hospital setting. Viral meningitis is more common, and most people with this form of the illness get better in a couple of weeks. With mild cases, you may only need home treatment, including taking medicine for fever and pain and drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.

Meningitis isn’t as contagious as viruses, such as those that cause the common cold, but it can spread from person to person via coughing, sneezing, kissing, sexual contact, or contact with infected blood or stool. A mother can also pass the germs that cause meningitis to her baby during birth.

Meningitis can be hard to diagnose because many of the early symptoms match those of the flu. The most common symptoms are fever, vomiting, headaches, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, and muscle pain. Babies may also develop a rash, have a lack of appetite and seem more irritable.

The best way to protect your child from meningitis is to make sure he or she gets all the standard immunizations for children, including shots for measles, chickenpox, and pneumococcal infection. When children reach adolescence, it is recommended that they receive two doses of a meningococcal vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis.

Flushing Hospital encourages everyone to know the symptoms of meningitis and speak to their doctor about the meningitis vaccine.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.