The meninges, which surround your brain and spinal cord, become inflamed when you have meningitis.
Symptoms like headache, fever, and stiff neck are frequently brought on by the swelling from meningitis.
Although bacterial and fungal infections can also cause meningitis, viral infections account for the majority of cases. Some cases of meningitis resolve on their own in a few weeks, while others can be fatal and necessitate urgent antibiotic treatment.
Meningitis is a serious condition that needs to be treated right away, so if you suspect someone may have it, call 911 right away.
CausesFinding the cause is crucial because bacterial infections can be life-threatening. Bacterial infections are the second most common cause of meningitis, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal infections.
Bacterial meningitis
Acute bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria getting into the bloodstream and traveling to the brain and spinal cord, but it can also happen when bacteria get into the meninges directly, which can happen from an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or, rarely, after some surgeries.
Acute bacterial meningitis can be brought on by a number of bacterial strains, most frequently by:
Streptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus).This bacterium, which more frequently causes pneumonia or ear infections or sinus infections, is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in infants, young children, and adults in the United States.
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus).These bacteria typically cause an upper respiratory infection but can cause meningococcal meningitis when they enter the bloodstream. This is a highly contagious infection that primarily affects teenagers and young adults and may cause local epidemics in college dorms, boarding schools, and military bases. a vaccine can help prevent infection. this bacterium is another leading cause of bacterial meningitis.
Haemophilus influenzae (haemophilus).New Hib vaccines have significantly decreased the number of cases of this type of meningitis, which was once primarily caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacterium.
Listeria monocytogenes (listeria).Listeria can cross the placental barrier, and infections in late pregnancy may be fatal to the fetus. These bacteria are present in unpasteurized cheeses, hot dogs, and luncheon meats. Pregnant women, infants, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.
Viral meningitis
The majority of viral meningitis cases in the United States are caused by enteroviruses, which are most prevalent in late summer and early fall. Other viruses, including West Nile virus, the herpes simplex virus, HIV, mumps, and others can also cause viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is typically mild and frequently resolves on its own.
Chronic meningitis
The symptoms of chronic meningitis, including headaches, fever, vomiting, and mental fogginess, are similar to those of acute meningitis. Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more and is caused by slow-growing organisms (such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain.
Fungal meningitis
Acute bacterial meningitis can mimic chronic fungal meningitis, which is less common and can be fatal if left untreated. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS, and is often fatal if left untreated.
Other meningitis causes
Other non-infectious causes of meningitis include chemical reactions, drug allergies, certain cancers, and inflammatory conditions like sarcoidosis.
SymptomsEarly meningitis symptoms may resemble those of the flu (influenza), and they can appear gradually over a period of hours or days.
Anyone older than 2 may experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
· Sudden high fever
· Stiff neck
An extremely painful headache that doesn’t feel right.
Migraine- or vomiting-induced headache
· Confusion or difficulty concentrating
· Seizures
· Sleepiness or difficulty waking
· Sensitivity to light
· No appetite or thirst
Skin rash (occasionally, as in cases of meningococcal meningitis)
Signs in newborns
Infants and newborns might exhibit these symptoms:
· High fever
· Constant crying
· Excessive sleepiness or irritability
· Inactivity or sluggishness
· Poor feeding
A protrusion in the baby’s fontanel, the soft spot on top of the head.
Neck and body rigidity in infants
When being held, meningitis-infected babies may cry more vehemently and be difficult to comfort.
Risk factorsMeningitis risk factors are as follows:
Skipping vaccinations.Anyone whose recommended adult or childhood vaccination schedule has not been followed is at increased risk.
Age.Children under the age of 5 account for the majority of viral meningitis cases, whereas people under the age of 20 account for the majority of bacterial cases.
Living in a community setting.Meningococcal meningitis is more common among people who live in close quarters, including dorm-dwelling college students, military personnel, and children in boarding schools and daycare centers. This is likely because the bacterium spreads rapidly through large groups via the respiratory route.
Pregnancy.Premature birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage are all risks of listeriosis, an infection brought on by the listeria bacteria that can also bring on meningitis.
Compromised immune system.Patients without a spleen should get vaccinated to reduce that risk, and those with AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes, immunosuppressive drug use, and other immune system-affecting conditions are also more susceptible to meningitis.
Complications--Meningitis complications can be severe; the longer the disease is left untreated, the higher the risk of seizures and long-term neurological damage, such as:
· Hearing loss
· Memory difficulty
· Learning disabilities
· Brain damage
· Gait problems
· Seizures
· Kidney failure
· Shock
· Death
Even those with severe cases of meningitis can make a full recovery with prompt medical attention.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Meningitis can be effectively treated with carefully chosen homoeopathic remedies, some of which are listed below.
BELLADONNA 200Belladonna is effective in the early stages of meningitis when there is violent delirium, high temperature, bright red face, and having strong pulse. There is also violent headache, which is throbbing and hammering in nature. The pain is worse from light, noise, jar, lying down, and in the afternoon, better by pressure and sitting in a semi-erect position. Belladonna is one of the top remedies for meningitis and it is suitable for simple meningitis
BRYONIA ALBA 200-When Belladonna has lowered the temperature and slowed the pulse, it should be followed by bryonia. bryonia also has high fever with copious sweats. there is severe headache that is bursting and splitting type, as if everything would be pressed out. the headache is worse from motion, when rising up, and better from complete rest and when lying down. there is a benumbed sensation, stiffness, and a benumbed feeling.
APIS MELLIFICA 30There is heat, stabbing, burning pains like the sting of a bee, the child puts their hand to their head or bores their head into the pillow and cries, pains, better by pressure and worse by motion, the patient cries in sleep with shrill, and apis patients have a thirst that is less natural. Apis mellifica is excellent for tubercular meningitis, spinal meningitis with collection of fluid in tissues and cavities of the body.
HELLEBORUS 200-Helleborous works best for meningitis that has advanced to the point where there are wrinkles on the forehead, dilated pupils, a tendency for the lower jaw to drop, automatic movements of one arm and one leg, shooting headaches, sudden sobbing, yelling, and burying the head in the pillow, as well as complete or partial unconsciousness, stupor, and sluggishness.
ZINCUM METALLICUM 200The child awakens with fear, rolls his head, cries out, and is startled in his sleep. Zincum met is suitable for sub acute form, especially tubercular and due to suppressed eruptions.
CUPRUM METALLICUM 200-Cuprum met is effective when there are convulsions that resemble epilepsy, which are characterized by loud screaming followed by violent convulsions, clenched thumbs, a pale face with blue lips, and rotating eyeballs.
CICUTA VIROSA 200The best treatment for meningitis with convulsions is Cicuta virosa, which is also effective for tubercular meningitis.
VERATRUM VIRIDE 200Veratrum viride is the best treatment for conditions with rapid onset, including those with high fever, twitching, especially during sleep, coldness of the body, loss of consciousness, dilated pupils, convulsions, and intense cerebral congestion. Other symptoms include violent, quickly developing headaches with a feeling of the head being burst with blood, slow, irregular heartbeat, and a propensity for convulsions followed by prostration.
TUBERCULINUM 200The constitutional remedy tuberculinum, which both prevents and treats tubercular meningitis, should be taken into consideration at the beginning of the therapeutic process.
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