Spinal Meningitis

Spinal meningitis is the infection and inflammation of the meninges, the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Apart from the meninges, the cerebrospinal fluid can also get infected in meningitis. If left untreated, it can damage the nerve cells to cause neurological problems and bleeding in the brain. The causative agent of the disease is always a microorganism like, bacteria, virus or fungi.

Causes of Spinal Meningitis

The bacterial meningitis is usually referred as 'purulent meningitis', while the non-bacterial form of the disease is termed as 'aseptic meningitis'. Bacterial meningitis is usually caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. Out of these, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is commonly known to cause spinal meningitis in infants, while the other two types of bacteria are responsible for causing the disease in adults. Bacterial meningitis is a relatively rare disease, but can cause brain damage by interrupting the supply of blood to the brain.

Bacteria can directly infect the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, or cause upper respiratory tract infection initially and then, reach the brain through the bloodstream. The most common form is viral meningitis, which is a less serious condition than bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis generally, resolves on its own, which is more commonly caused by the viruses associated with gastrointestinal diseases. Apart from bacteria and virus, it can also be caused by fungus, which is termed as fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare disease, that mostly affects the individuals with weakened immune system. So, people with AIDS are more susceptible to this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Meningitis

It infect the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, and damages the nerves, which can produce a number of symptoms, that are more or less same for both bacterial or non-bacterial forms of the disease.

• High fever and chills
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Confusion and drowsiness
• Rapid breathing
• Joint pain and muscle spasms
• Fatigue
• Seizures

In addition to these symptoms, infants with this condition can exhibit some additional symptoms like

• Irritability
• High pitched crying
• Reluctance to eat
• Arching back
• Bulging fontanelle
• Lethargy
• Whimpering

Treatment for Spinal Meningitis

It is usually diagnosed with the help of lumbar puncture procedure, where a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is drawn and tested for infection. Other diagnostic tests include, chest X-ray, CT scan and bacterial culture. A severe case requires hospitalization and intravenous fluid administration. The bacterial form of the disease is treated with appropriate antibiotics. The type of antibiotics used for the treatment can vary depending on the specific strain of the bacteria.

In the meantime, if headache, fever and seizures become severe, then other medications will be required to manage these symptoms. However, antibiotics are not effective for treating viral meningitis. The viral form of the disease usually resolves within 2 to 3 weeks, without medical intervention. Vaccines are also available, especially for the meningitis caused by haemophilus and pneumococcus bacteria. Haemophilus vaccine can prove effective for preventing meningitis in children.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent many of the complications associated with this condition. Otherwise, meningitis can cause permanent neurological damage, deafness, loss of vision, brain damage and shock. Hydrocephalus can also occur, if cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain. Some types of bacterial meningitis are contagious, that can spread through direct contact with saliva and nasal discharge of the infected individual. So, along with proper treatment, it is also very important to take some precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of the disease.