Understanding Meningitis and All its Important Aspects

A type of infection related to the protective membranes covering the brain (and the spinal cord) is known as meningitis. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses or even by fungi (mostly Cryptococcus), though the latter possibility is rare but has been documented.

The membranes being pia and arachnoid, while the bacteria are Neisseria meningitidis, haemophilus, pneumococci, tuberculosis and some other species. It is through the nose and the bloodstream that the concerned infectious agents enter a body. There is a considerable amount of inflammation of these membranes during meningitis.

As per the agents responsible for the onset of the disease, so are the types of meningitis like viral meningitis or bacterial meningitis. The former is mostly harmless and even short lived but the latter caused by different types of bacteria can prove fatal.

The worst part of the disease is that its inception is sudden, almost abrupt with a variety of symptoms as follows:

Headache and stiffness of neck on flexion is the most common symptom, but this symptom can occur with other disease forms as well
Same goes with fever
Now for some serious symptoms which could be like: altered consciousness or confusions
Some other symptoms include the inability to tolerate or sudden dislike of sound( termed as phonophobia) or light(photophobia)
Drowsiness and fits are also seen along with instances of a patient going into coma.
If symptoms gift rashes, it is possible that the meningococcal bacterium has caused this type of meningitis.
Talking about potential targets, infants can be vulnerable to these forms of meningitis. Also, the symptoms aren’t very obvious due to the life style of infants.

The diagnostic process includes:

Usage of the lumbar puncture method, where cerebrospinal fluid is collected from the sacs near the spinal cord is common. After the organism is identified, appropriate antibiotics could be provided.
Another method includes the process of imaging and blood tests.
Monitoring of blood electrolytes is done in severe cases of meningitis.
Meningitis can also be diagnosed post death via the post mortem process.
Lastly, when it comes to treating the disease, antibiotics, steroids, supportive therapy and antifungal doses are some important elements.


Diseases like meningitis, polio, jaundice can cause havoc if not taken seriously. Apart from talking to your doctor, try learning causes and treatments from the scientific portals accommodating diseases and medical issues. Like the Cambridge encyclopedia, choose the best possible portal.