How do people get bacterial 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.

Who is affected by bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants under 1 year of age and people ages 16 to 21. College students living in dorms or other close quarters are at increased risk. Also at risk are adults with certain medical problems, including those without a spleen.

How long can you live with bacterial meningitis?

The most serious form of meningitis is bacterial. Even with treatment, bacterial meningitis can be fatal some of the time. If bacterial meningitis progresses rapidly, in 24 hours or less, death may occur in more than half of those who develop it, even with proper medical treatment.

What do you do if you have bacterial meningitis?

How is bacterial meningitis treated? Bacterial meningitis is treated with antibiotics. A general intravenous antibiotic with a corticosteroid to bring down the inflammation may be prescribed even before all the test results are in. When the specific bacteria are identified, your doctor may decide to change antibiotics.

Can you fully recover from bacterial meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

Where is bacterial meningitis most commonly found?

Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide, with the highest incidence of disease found in the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa.

What are the long term effects of bacterial meningitis?

Main complications hearing loss, which may be partial or total – people who have had meningitis will usually have a hearing test after a few weeks to check for any problems. recurrent seizures (epilepsy) problems with memory and concentration. co-ordination, movement and balance problems.

How serious is bacterial meningitis?

Why is bacterial meningitis worse than viral?

Typically in bacterial meningitis the white cell count is much higher than in viral meningitis (and is a different type of white cell), the protein is much higher and the glucose is much lower than in viral meningitis.

What precautions are used for bacterial meningitis?

What infection control precautions are required? Meningococcal meningitis patients should be placed on droplet precautions (private room, mask for all entering the room) until they have completed 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Negative pressure ventilation is not required.

What are the long term side effects of bacterial meningitis?

Complications

• memory and. concentration problems.
• balance and. coordination problems.
• temporary or. permanent learning difficulties.
• partial or total. vision loss.
• sleep disorders, such. as insomnia.
• speech problems.
• epilepsy.
• gangrene.