Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which is the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord, which occurs due to the presence of bacteria in the nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as fever, headache and stiff neck.
Most people recover from meningitis when treated promptly and as recommended by their doctor. However, the infection can bring some complications, especially if not treated quickly, such as brain damage, hearing loss and learning difficulties.
Learn a little more about all types of meningitis in the following video:
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of bacterial meningitis are:
- High fever;
- Intense headache;
- Change in mental state;
- Pain when turning the neck;
- Muscle weakness;
- Vomiting;
- Loss of appetite;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Change in view;
- Paralysis, which can affect only one side of the body;
- Purple spots on the skin;
- Greater sensitivity to light;
- Seizures.
In the case of meningitis in babies, classic symptoms may be absent or difficult to identify. However, babies may present with irritability, strong crying, convulsions, and a hard, tense fontanelle. See how to recognize the symptoms of bacterial meningitis in children.
Online symptom test
To find out if you have meningitis, please indicate your symptoms below:
This test is a tool that serves only as a means of guidance, and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace a consultation with an infectious disease specialist, neurologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To diagnose bacterial meningitis, the doctor must evaluate the symptoms presented by the person, in addition to being asked to perform a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to check for the presence of bacteria.
If the test is positive, it is also possible to request an antibiogram to check which antibiotic is best to treat the infection.
Make an appointment with your nearest doctor to evaluate the signs and symptoms and investigate meningitis:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Possible causes
The main bacteria responsible for bacterial meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus do group B, Listeria monocytogenes, Haemophilus influenzae e Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the risk of bacterial meningitis is greater in some situations:
- Babies and children up to 3 years oldas they have an immune system that is still developing;
- Elderlyas they have a weaker immune system and usually have other associated diseases;
- Illnessessuch as pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis and diabetes;
- Surgical situations and anatomical defectssuch as trauma, absence of spleen and fistulas in the cerebrospinal fluid;
- Compromised immune systemas can happen in HIV infection, organ transplantation or severe malnutrition.
Other situations that can cause meningitis infection are the use of some medications such as Eculizumab or Ravulizumab, for example, exposure to different bacteria due to professional activity, or traveling to places where the disease is common.
Bacterial meningitis can occur in people of all ages, however newborns, babies and children are those at greatest risk of contracting the infection.
How transmission happens
Meningitis is transmitted through direct contact, from person to person, through droplets of respiratory secretions from the nose or mouth of infected people. Therefore, a person with meningitis should wear a face mask and avoid coughing, sneezing or talking near healthy people.
In addition, meningitis can occur in newborns if infected by the Streptococcus do grupo B during normal birth, as this bacteria can be present in the mother’s vagina without causing symptoms. Another form of contagion is through the consumption of foods that contain the bacteria. Listeria monocytogenessuch as raw vegetables, processed meats and raw sausages, for example.
However, prevention of bacterial meningitis can be achieved through vaccination, which is indicated at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for bacterial meningitis is carried out in the hospital with the administration of antibiotics directly into the vein according to the infectious agent responsible for the disease and sensitivity profile. In general, the recommended treatment is:
The person can be hospitalized in isolation for the first 24 hours after starting treatment with antibiotics and can return home after 14 or 28 days, when they are cured.
Is bacterial meningitis curable?
Bacterial meningitis can be cured as long as the treatment is carried out according to the doctor’s instructions, that is, when the antibiotics are taken according to the instructions and are not stopped when there are no symptoms, but when the doctor indicates the end of the treatment. This way, it is possible to guarantee the elimination of the bacteria responsible for meningitis.
Possible complications
The consequences of bacterial meningitis can occur when treatment is not carried out properly, especially in people over 50 years of age or children. The main complications of this type of meningitis are brain changes, deafness, motor paralysis, epilepsy and learning difficulties.
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