Every year, approximately 600 to 1,000 individuals in the United States contract meningitis, a medical condition in which the brain and spinal cord membranes inflame. Because meningitis cases can end in infection, it’s critical to know potential risks, such as…
1. Bacterial Infections
Acute bacterial meningitis can result due to bacteria entering the bloodstream and traveling to the spinal cord and the brain. Bacterial meningitis can have numerous different causes. This includes a sinus or ear infection or even a skull fracture. Although it is rare, bacterial meningitis can develop after certain types of surgeries, too.
While bacteria can spread meningitis through the spinal cord and the brain, this next cause spreads through the throat and respiratory secretions…
2. Meningococcal Bacteria
Meningococcal bacteria are classified as Gram-negative bacterium that can cause both meningitis and a potentially fatal disease called meningococcal sepsis.
Bacteria spread through the throat and respiratory secretions in ways such as spit through numerous activities including kissing and close contact with another person.
This next cause of meningitis occurs due to tiny infected droplets from the nose, throat, or mouth…
3. Pneumococcal Bacteria
Pneumococcal bacteria is an inflammation and infection of the meninges. Meninges are membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. When the meninges are exposed to pneumococcal bacteria, it can cause meningitis.
The disease is spread from person to person, usually from tiny infected droplets from the nose, throat, or mouth. Meningitis can be contracted by being too close to the sneeze or cough of an infected person.
While pneumococcal bacteria causes a more common type of meningitis, this next cause has bacteria that is extremely rare and fatal…
4. Streptococcus Pneumoniae Bacteria
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is a rare and extremely serious type of meningitis that can result in death or long-term consequences. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria infect the meninges, which causes the membranes to swell and results in pneumococcal meningitis. This kind of bacteria is fairly common in pregnant women.
To minimize the risks of serious consequences, the disease must be treated quickly.
Due to the introduction of a vaccine, the instances of pneumococcal meningitis have significantly decreased. Meningitis can also be caused by the following…
5. Listeria Bacterium
Listeria is a gram-positive bacterium shaped like a rod and is capable of replicating and penetrating human cells. Once the cells have been replicated, the result can be listeria meningitis. This illness is foodborne, resulting in serious symptoms including convulsions, high fever, and potential death.
Watch out which animals you keep as pets when it comes to this next cause…
6. Salmonella Bacteria
Salmonella is a rare type of meningitis seen more frequently in the United States. This disease may result from keeping a lizard as a pet and can be transmitted to adults, babies, and even pregnant women. Once bacteria are in the bloodstream, every organ and tissue becomes susceptible.
Ready to learn about a more dangerous bacteria?..
7. GAS Bacteria
GAS bacterium is frequently found inside the throat and on skin surface. They are more common than you might think, and when they penetrate organs and tissues, they can cause serious diseases, such as meningitis. This bacteria can also cause a blood infection called septicemia, a childbirth infection called puerperal sepsis, and a lung infection known as pneumonia.
Meningitis can also result from viruses…
8. Viruses
There is a fairly wide range of viruses, such as herpes, HIV, and mumps, that are capable of causing viral meningitis. These are known as enteroviruses, and they usually transmit by mouth. Most infections result in either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, though, with the exception of a sore throat accompanied by a cold. Stomach problems might also occur.
This next meningitis cause might surprise you…
9. Fungi
Both candida and cryptococcus funguses can cause a dangerous type of meningitis called cryptococcal meningitis. Although rare, premature babies can contract fungal meningitis due to low birth weight.
The most common cause of fungal meningitis is cryptococcus neoformans, which comes from fungus or yeast generally found in soil. Only individuals with immune system deficiency such as people with cancer, HIV, or an inherited immune condition can develop a serious case of cryptococcal meningitis.
Yet another cause for meningitis is the following…
10. Histoplasma
Histoplasma is a harmless and common fungus for individuals with a functional immune system. Histoplasma can cause chronic meningitis, spinal cord or brain lesions, encephalitis, hydrocephalus, or stroke syndromes.
So, what can you do if you get meningitis?…
The Next Step
If you are experiencing the symptoms of meningitis, you should seek medical attention immediately. Many of the treatments are not nearly as effective if you do not receive treatment quickly.
Depending on the specific type of meningitis, this disease can be extremely dangerous and result in death or long-term consequences. Individuals of every appropriate age should receive both the vaccines and boosters currently available for the prevention of numerous types of meningitis.
