Bacterial Meningitis - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

• Home
• Find a Doctor by Disease
• Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis in Urdu

Find the complete list of doctors who deals with Bacterial Meningitis issues in {{city}}. You can access the complete details of Bacterial Meningitis specialists along with the relevant information. You can also book an appointment by a phone call with Marham.

Doctors For Bacterial Meningitis

Summary about Bacterial Meningitis in English

Meningitis affects meninges, the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain that protect the cerebrospinal fluid and the central nervous system. Bacterial meningitis is a severe type of meningitis. It is a medical emergency. It can cause death that occurs in a few hours. However, many people with bacterial meningitis are recovered. Those who recover may have disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage and learning disabilities.

Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis

Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis develop suddenly, which include:

• nausea
• altered mental status
• vomiting
• irritability
• sensitivity to light
• headache
• chills
• fever
• stiff neck
• sleepiness
• purple skin areas resembling bruises
• lethargy

Causes of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacteria are present in your environment. Usually, they are harmless, but some cause infections too. Bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and the spinal cord to cause an infection. Different types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis include:

• Neisseria meningitidis also known as meningococcus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus
• Haemophilus influenzae, also called Hib
• group B strep
• Listeria monocytogenes
• E. coli

Risk Factors of Bacterial Meningitis

Risk factors associated with bacterial meningitis include:

• an infection in your neck area or the head
• any trauma or anatomical defects such as some surgery or skull fracture, when they allow the bacteria to enter your nervous system
• having a weak immune system due to any treatment or medical condition
•  infectious diseases spread in large gatherings
• people can develop bacterial meningitis at any age, but babies are more susceptible to it as compared to other age groups
• Certain medications, medical conditions and surgical procedures increased the risk of meningitis. Having a cerebrospinal fluid leak, an HIV infection, or without a spleen may increase the risk of bacterial meningitis.
• travelers are at increased risk of a disease caused by N. meningitidis when they travel to different places
• Microbiologists are exposed to those bacteria that cause meningitis and are at a greater risk to have meningitis.

Preventive Measures of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacteria that cause meningitis may spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing, sharing a toothbrush, eating utensils or a cigarette. Some of the steps that help prevent meningitis include:

• Practice good hygiene - Avoid sharing foods, drinks, eating utensils, straws, toothbrushes or lip balms with others. Teach the teens and children to not share such items with others.
• Wash your hands - Washing hands carefully prevents the spreading of germs. Teach kids to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating, petting animals and spending time in a large gathering.
• Stay healthy - Take proper rest, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This maintains your immune system and protects you from such deadly diseases.
• Take care of your food if you are pregnant - Minimize the risk of listeriosis by properly cooking meat to 165 F. Avoid cheese made from unpasteurized milk.
• Cover your mouth - Make sure that you cover your mouth when you need to sneeze or cough. 
• Vaccination -Some bacterial meningitis is prevented with immunizations. Consult your doctor and make sure that your children's and your vaccinations are up-to-date.