What is P meningitis?

Meningitis and pneumonia Pneumococcal meningitis is a rare but serious and life-threatening form of bacterial meningitis. Even with treatment, 20 percent of people with this type of infection die. About 40 percent of people carry bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae in their throat and the back of the nose.

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

Types of meningitis

• Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis.
• Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria.
• Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis.
• Parasitic meningitis.
• Non-infectious meningitis.

Where did meningitis come from?

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 is the main cause of meningitis?

Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common and least serious type. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be very serious if not treated.

How long can you have meningitis without knowing?

The first symptoms of viral meningitis typically appear between 3 to 7 days after being exposed to the infection. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear and progress quickly – bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, and the infection progresses the fastest.

How long can meningitis last?

Most people who get mild viral meningitis usually recover completely in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Antiviral medicine may help people with meningitis caused by viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza.

Is fungal meningitis curable?

The current outbreak is fungal meningitis, a rare form because fungi do not usually infect individuals with a healthy immune system. Unlike viral and bacterial meningitis, fungal meningitis is not contagious—and it is treatable if detected early.

Can meningitis cause problems later in life?

Meningitis and septicaemia can cause a range of disabilities and problems that can alter lives. After effects may be temporary or permanent, physical or emotional.

Who was the first person to get meningitis?

460-370BC), who observed the inflammation of the lining of the brain. One of the earliest descriptions of meningitis that we can point to came from Thomas Willis (1621 – 1675), who described patients with “inflammation of the meninges with a continual fever” in 1661.

How do I know if my stiff neck is meningitis?

Brudzinski’s sign: Your doctor will pull your neck forward slowly. Neck stiffness and involuntary bending of the knees and hips can indicate meningitis. Kernig’s sign: Your doctor will flex your leg at the knee and bend the leg forward at the hip. Then, they’ll slowly straighten your leg.

Can meningitis be seen on an MRI?

Routine contrast-enhanced brain MRI is the most sensitive modality for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis because it helps detect the presence and extent of inflammatory changes in the meninges, as well as complications.

What is the best treatment for fungal meningitis?

Treating fungal meningitis involves killing the underlying infection with a long course of antifungal medication (specific to the fungus) that is usually given intravenously in the hospital. These drugs, which can be given orally and intravenously, include: Amphotericin B. Itraconazole.