World Meningitis Day

Every year, people from all over the world come together for World Meningitis Day on the 5th of October.

Meningitis is a devastating and debilitating infection that can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time.  Every year people come together on World Meningitis Day to raise awareness and encourage global action to defeat this disease.

According to the Meningitis Research Foundation 1 in 6 people who get bacterial meningitis die.  Tragically, around half of meningitis deaths are children under 5.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  These membranes are called meninges.

The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis.  Followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections.

Some cases of meningitis improve without treatment in a few weeks.  Others can cause death, especially bacterial meningitis, and require emergency antibiotic treatment.

Meningitis versus encephalitis

These two conditions are similar and many symptoms overlap.  Meningitis affects the membranes or covering of the brain and spinal cord.  Encephalitis on the other hand affects the tissue of the brain itself.

Symptoms of meningitis

Early meningitis symptoms may be similar to the flu.  Symptoms may develop over several hours or over a few days.

Possible symptoms in anyone older than the age of 2 years include:

  • Sudden high fever.
  • Stiff neck.
  • Severe headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Confusion or trouble concentrating.
  • Seizures.
  • Sleepiness or trouble waking.
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • No appetite or thirst.
  • Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis.

Signs in newborns and infants include:

  • High fever.
  • Constant crying.
  • Being very sleepy or irritable.
  • Trouble waking from sleep.
  • Being inactive or sluggish.
  • Not waking to eat.
  • Poor feeding.
  • Vomiting.
  • A bulge in the soft spot on top of the baby’s head.
  • Stiffness in the body and neck.
  • Infants with meningitis may be hard to comfort. They may even cry harder when held.

How is meningitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing meningitis starts with a health history and physical exam.  A healthcare practitioner may also obtain general information.  For example, does the child attend daycare.

If the healthcare practitioner suspects meningitis, he/she will request tests to confirm the diagnosis.  They might include:

  • Blood tests to identify the cause.
  • CT or MRI scans of the head to find swelling or inflammation.
  • A lumbar puncture, where a sample of fluid is taken from the spine and checked for bacteria or viruses. It can tell what is causing the meningitis.