What causes spinal meningitis?

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.

What are the chances of surviving meningitis?

Can bacterial meningitis be cured? There is a 10 percent death rate from bacterial meningitis, but if diagnosed and treated early enough, most people recover.

Is there a difference between meningitis and spinal meningitis?

Most people think of meningitis as a brain disease, but did you know it can also affect your spine? Spinal meningitis is a potentially deadly infection of the meninges, the protective tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.

Where does your back hurt with meningitis?

High fever: Fever can be above 100 degrees (sometimes even above 103 degrees). Back pain: Back pain caused by meningitis is typically made worse when you bend your legs close to your chest in a fetal position, though it can also be exacerbated by any change in position and it may be present all the time.

What organs are affected by meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis.

How long can meningitis go untreated?

Bacterial meningitis – bacterial meningitis has a sudden onset, and can cause serious health problems, or even death, within 24 hours if left untreated. If treated early, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis can improve in as little as 2-3 days.

How do adults get meningitis?

Often it is the result of an infection by bacteria that already live in the nose and mouth. The bacteria enter the blood and become lodged in the brain’s outer covering, the meninges. Meningitis can also be caused by the spread of an infection occurring near the brain, such as from the ears or the sinuses.

How do you feel when you have meningitis?

Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours – know the symptoms. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.

What happens to the body when you have meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain. This can cause life-threatening problems. Meningitis symptoms strike suddenly and worsen quickly.

How contagious is meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is usually less contagious than viral; depending on the bacterial genus causing the infection, it may be contagious during the incubation period and for about an additional seven to 14 days. And they can be contagious for much longer (many days to months) if the person becomes a carrier.

What is the diagnostic test for meningitis?

Cerebrospinal fluid test. This is the only test that can truly diagnose meningitis. To perform this test, your doctor inserts a needle into your spine in order to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that’s found around your brain and spinal cord. Then, your doctor sends your CSF to a lab for testing.

What is spiral meningitis?

Spinal meningitis is an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Once infection starts, it can spread rapidly through the body. Without treatment it can cause brain damage in a matter of hours and can be fatal within 24 hours.