General Information About Meningitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is an acute and dangerous inflammation created by pathogens entering the fluid-filled space of the meninges, which constitute the most important protective barrier of the central nervous system.
Viral meningitis (caused by viruses) is more common, runs a relatively mild course, and can resolve spontaneously. Bacterial meningitis (pneumococcus, meningococcus), on the other hand, is a medical emergency that progresses rapidly within seconds or hours, resulting in brain damage or death if not immediately treated.
The classic triad of the disease is: a severe and unremitting headache, sudden high fever, and a stiff neck (inability to touch the chin to the chest).
Meningitis caused specifically by the meningococcal bacterium is highly contagious through respiratory droplets via coughing, sneezing, and kissing (saliva), and can lead to outbreaks.
The only and definitive way to observe inflammation in the meninges is the 'Lumbar Puncture' (spinal tap) procedure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained with a fine needle inserted between the lumbar vertebrae is examined in the laboratory to detect the pathogen.
If bacterial infection is suspected, highly potent intravenous antibiotics and sometimes cortisone therapy to reduce cerebral edema are urgently initiated in the hospital, even without waiting for the CSF results. In meningococcal meningitis, protective (prophylactic) antibiotics are also administered to close contacts of the patient.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
