Meningitis Created By: VSU Student Health Center Nursing Staff

1. MeningitisCreated By: VSU Student Health Center Nursing Staff

2. What is Meningitis? • Infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain • Viral or Bacterial • Etiology is important because of the seriousness of the illness and the treatment needed

3. Viral Meningitis • Usually clears up in a week or two with no specific treatment • Common; rarely serious infection of fluid in the spinal cord or fluid that surrounds the brain • Also called aseptic meningitis

4. Causes of Viral Meningitis • Caused by a number of different viruses • mosquito-borne viruses • occasionally seen after strep throat in young adults • common intestinal viruses account for half of U.S. cases per year

5. Signs and Symptoms • Usually occur one week after exposure • Fever • Headache • Stiff neck • Tiredness • Rash • Sore Throat • Vomiting

6. Treatment and Prevention • No specific treatment for viral meningitis • Antibiotics do not work on viruses • Pay careful attention to personal hygiene • Good hand-washing helps prevent spread of infection and viruses

7. Bacterial Meningitis • A serious infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain • Results from bacterial invasion of membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord (meninges) • Meninges become swollen and inflamed, leading to classic s/s of meningitis

8. Causes of Bacterial Meningitis • Three common bacteria: • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) • Neisseria meningitidis • Causes Meningococcal Meningitis • Streptococcus pneumoniae • Causes Pneumococcal Meningitis

9. How do people get Bacterial Meningitis? • Bacteria are spread through direct contact with secretions from the nose or throat of an infected person • None of the bacteria that cause meningitis are very contagious • Not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the same air where the person infected has been

10. Signs and Symptoms Under Age 2 Over age 2 High fever Headache Stiff neck Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity to light Confusion Sleepiness Petechiae that spreads rapidly seizures • Fever • Headache • Stiff neck • Inactivity • Vomiting • Poor feeding • Seizures • May be hard to detect in infants

11. Diagnosis & Treatment • Diagnosed via lumbar puncture (spinal tap) • Check for bacterial growth in the spinal fluid • Antibiotic administration based on bacteria found • Close contacts identified and treated also • Early diagnosis and treatment important

12. Potential Complications • Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to brain damage, coma, and death • Survivors can suffer long-term hearing loss, mental retardation, paralysis, and seizures

13. Vaccinations • Hib vaccine (3 doses by 6 months of age and a booster between 12-18 months of age) • Meningococcal vaccine not routinely given to civilians in U.S. because most outbreaks occur in Africa • Pneumococcal vaccine ineffective in persons under age 2 • Recommended for all persons over age 65 with certain medical problems

14. Travel Precautions • Check with your local health department if you are planning to travel outside the country. • If meningococcal vaccination is recommended or required, it should be received at least one week before departure if possible.

15. Source • American College Health Association, Baltimore, MD (2007) www.acha.org/meningitis • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007). www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm.