Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection to the membranes around the spinal cord and the brain caused by bacteria. It can lead to life threatening inflammation and swelling and if these symptoms deteriorate or not treated promptly with antibiotics.
Most people who get bacterial meningitis recover when they seek medical help on time. However, those who recover could suffer from long-term impairments, including brain damage, hearing loss, and learning difficulties. Death from the virus can happen within a few hours for some patients.
The infection generally affects infants and babies across the world. However, in South Africa, annually, more than 100,000 cases of meningitis are reported.
Bacterial meningitis is highly contagious and can spread from one infected person to another due to close contact. The symptoms can develop rapidly (without any signs) and may include:
Seek medical attention immediately if you feel the symptoms mentioned above or you know someone experiencing these signs. It can rapidly become life-threatening if left untreated.
Some of the most common bacteria causing meningitis include:
Bacterial meningitis can be spread through close contact such as coughing, sneezing, or kissing. People who have weak immunity are more prone to develop the condition. It may include young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions, are at an increased risk of developing meningitis.
In many patients, bacterial meningitis is a result of another infection, such as ear or sinusitis, or after a head injury.
Risk factors for developing bacterial meningitis include:
It’s important to be aware of these risk factors and to take steps to reduce your risk of contracting bacterial meningitis, such as getting vaccinated, practising good hygiene, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis typically involves a variety of medical tests including lab tests, clinical assessments and X-rays. Some common diagnostic tests for bacterial meningitis include:
Bacterial meningitis can lead to severe medical issues if you don’t treat the symptoms timely. It causes soreness and swelling in the brain that may damage the brain permanently. It can also cause seizures, which can be serious and require prompt treatment.
The treatment of bacterial meningitis typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection and supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Some common antibiotics used to treat bacterial meningitis include penicillin, ceftriaxone, and vancomycin.
If the patient’s condition worsen, immediate medical treatment is necessary in the hospital with close monitoring and medical care including intravenous (IV) fluids and pain management.
To prevent bacterial infection, your medical professional can recommend you the following:
Meningitis is a bacterial infection that may lead to serious medical issues. It is important to see the doctor if you develop symptoms mentioned above to get timely diagnosis and treatment.