Know the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis

Meningitis is a condition we have all heard of but may not completely understand.  This rare infection can attack the meninges, the delicate membranes which cover your brain and spinal cord.  When a person is diagnosed with meningitis, it will be categorized into either bacterial or viral as these are the two most common.  There is a third type of meningitis called fungal meningitis which is rarer than the other two. 

Causes of meningitis

The main causes of meningitis are generally brought about by a bacterial or viral infection.  The infection will begin in a different location of your body other than the brain such as your ears, sinuses, or throat. 

Which people are more likely to get meningitis?

All of us are at risk of meningitis but there are certain groups of people who are more susceptible:

·      Children under 5

·      Teenagers and young adults ages 16-25

·      College students living in dorms or military recruits living in barracks

·      People who travel to areas where meningitis is more common such as parts of Africa

·      Adults over 55

·      People with certain medical conditions such as a damaged or missing spleen, any long-term disease, or immune system disorders

Bacterial meningitis

The most life-threatening, serious form of meningitis is bacterial.  This type of meningitis requires immediate medical help otherwise it can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities, or death without medical intervention.  There are several different strains of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis which include the following:

·      Streptococcus pneumoniae

·      Meningococcus

·      Listeria monocytogenes – usually occurs in older adults, pregnant women, or anyone with a weak immune system

This type of meningitis starts when bacteria enter into the bloodstream by way of the sinuses, ears, or throat.  From there, the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to the brain.  Bacterial meningitis can spread from an infected person who coughs or sneezes by which the bacteria can travel through the air to another person.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck.  Other symptoms may also include:

·      Nausea and or vomiting

·      Increased sensitivity to light

·      Confusion

If a doctor suspects you have bacterial meningitis, they will take samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid to test to see what is causing the infection.  To treat this type of meningitis, there are a number of antibiotics which can help but it is important to know which type you have and to get it treated as soon as possible.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine for bacterial meningitis called Hib, which stands for Haemophilus influenzae type b, which was a common cause of meningitis in babies and young children.  Additionally, there are also vaccines for Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumoniae which are recommended for children and adults who are at high risk for this disease.

Viral meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is less serious than bacterial meningitis as most people get better on their own without treatment.  However, anyone who contracts viral meningitis should still see their doctor right away as some type of meningitis can be very serious and only a doctor can determine which type you have. 

This type of meningitis is spread by coming into close contact with a person who has the disease.  However, only a small number of people who are infected with the virus that cause viral meningitis will actually develop the disease.

Symptoms of viral meningitis include the following:

·      Fever

·      Irritability

·      Lack of appetite

·      Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep

·      Lethargy or lack of energy

·      Headache

·      Stiff neck

·      Sensitivity to bright light

·      Nausea and or vomiting

Most people will get better within 7 to 10 days – there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis.  There are also no vaccines to protect against viral meningitis but taking certain steps, this can lower the chance of getting infected or spreading it to other people.  This includes frequent hand washing, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, close contact with others such as kissing, hugging, or sharing utensils, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick.