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Spinal Meningitis
Meningitis
is an infection of the membranes (called "meninges") that surround the
brain and spinal cord. Some types of meningitis can be deadly if not treated
promptly. Meningitis symptoms, which may appear suddenly, often include
high fever, severe and persistent headache, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting.
Changes in behavior such 
as
confusion, sleepiness, and being hard to wake up are extremely important
symptoms. Anyone who
has these symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
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Meningitis at College story
Many different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis. A sample of spinal fluid collected by needle (called "lumbar puncture") must be tested to find out if someone with symptoms actually has meningitis and what caused it. Only three of the organisms that cause meningitis are known to be contagious. To be on the safe side, however, hospitals usually isolate meningitis patients until tests of their spinal fluid prove they are not contagious.
Meningococcal bacteria infection is a major cause of bacterial meningitis, the more severe from of meningitis that can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability or loss of a limb.The meningococcal bacteria are spread from person to person through close contact, not by casual contact or by touching contaminated objects
Haemophilus influenzae type b is the most common cause of meningitis in children under four years old. Adults and adolescents may be carriers but their natural immunity almost always keeps them from getting sick. These bacteria live in the nose and throat and can be spread by kissing, sneezing or coughing.
Neisseria meningitidis infections are more severe in the very young and the very old, but may cause illness in people of any age. About 5-20% of people carry these bacteria in their throats without getting sick. The organism can be spread by kissing, sneezing or coughing, but cases of meningitis caused by it are rare.
Escherichia coli and Group B streptococci are common causes of meningitis in newborns. Healthy people often carry these bacteria, which infants pick up during birth. Why some babies become sick and others do not is not fully known. Meningitis caused by these organisms is not contagious.
Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are other common causes of bacterial meningitis. These organisms are widespread in the environment and it is not fully understood why some people get sick while others do not. Meningitis caused by these organisms is not contagious. There are other bacteria that cause meningitis but they are rare and not contagious.
Viruses can also cause meningitis. Enteroviruses account for most meningitis cases for which a cause can be found. There are more than 80 different kinds of enteroviruses, but it is not clear how many of them cause meningitis. Enteroviruses are found in the throat and stools (feces) of infected people for a long time, and can be spread by hand-to-mouth contact or the kind of close face-to-face exposure that is common in families. Many enteroviral infections produce no symptoms, while others cause only mild diarrhea or vomiting.
People with bacterial meningitis are usually hospitalized and treated with antibiotics. There are few antiviral drugs available, but viral meningitis cases are usually self-limited to ten days or less.
How can meningitis be prevented? A vaccine to prevent H. influenzae type b meningitis is available and recommended for all children between 18 months and five years old. It is strongly recommended for children who attend day-care centers, have sickle-cell anemia, or are treated with immunity-suppressing drugs for chronic illnesses. The vaccine can prevent meningitis, but it is useless as a treatment once meningitis has developed. Antibiotics are recommended for household members, hospital staff, and anyone else exposed to the throat secretions of a person with bacterial meningitis caused by H. influenzae or N. meningitidis. If a case occurs in a day-care center, the entire class - including staff and teachers - should be encouraged to take antibiotics to prevent additional cases.
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