Meningitis is a swelling of the membranes around the spinal cord and brain. It can be caused by fungi, parasites, or even injury. Children are especially vulnerable to bacterial meningitis. Symptoms begin within a week after exposure. Common symptoms include headache, fever, and skin rash.
Some types of meningitis are even life-threatening. You should consult your doctor if you suspect you have an infection. Fungal meningitis is usually caused by a type of fungus called Cryptococcus. This rare type of meningitis is most likely to strike people with weak immune systems. Fungal meningitis is not contagious. Parasitic meningitis is extremely rare and life-threatening.
This parasite enters the body through the nose, usually in contaminated lakes and rivers. It can develop as a result of head injury or brain surgery.
It can also be caused by certain medications, lupus, or cancer. Non-infectious meningitis is not contagious. The enteroviruses that cause meningitis can spread through direct contact with saliva, nasal mucus, or feces.
They easily spread through coughing and sneezing. Direct or indirect contact with an infected person increases your risk of getting the same virus. Arboviruses that cause meningitis can be transmitted through insects like mosquitos and ticks. Routine immunization can go a long way toward preventing meningitis.
The Hib , measles, mumps, polio , and pneumococcal vaccines can protect against meningitis caused by those germs. Kids also should get the meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenACWY when they're 11 or 12 years old, with a booster shot at age Kids older than 11 who haven't been vaccinated also should be immunized, particularly if they're going to college, boarding school, camp, or other places where they'll live in close quarters with others.
This includes kids who:. A newer type of meningococcal vaccine called MenB protects against a type of meningococcal bacterium not covered by the older vaccine. Kids 10 years and older who have a higher risk for infection should get this vaccine. Others who are not at increased risk may also get it between the ages of 16 and 23 preferably between 16 through 18, which is when the risk of getting infected is highest.
The decision to get the MenB vaccine should be made together with their parents and the doctor. Kids and adults should wash their hands well and often, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom, and if they work closely with kids as in a daycare.
Avoid close contact with someone who looks ill and don't share food, drinks, or eating utensils. In some cases, doctors may give antibiotics to anyone who has been in close contact with a person who has bacterial meningitis to help prevent infection.
Get medical care right away if you think that your child has meningitis or you see symptoms such as:. If your child has been near someone who has meningitis, call your doctor to ask about preventive medicine. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
What Is Meningitis? What Causes Meningitis? Bacterial Meningitis Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if not treated right away.
Viral Meningitis Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and usually less serious. Common symptoms include: fever lack of energy irritability headache sensitivity to light stiff neck skin rash Meningitis in Infants Infants with meningitis might have different symptoms. Other symptoms of meningitis in babies can include: jaundice a yellowish tint to the skin stiffness of the body and neck a lower-than-normal temperature a weak suck a high-pitched cry How Is Meningitis Diagnosed?
How Is Meningitis Treated? People who are not a close contact of a patient with meningococcal disease do not need prophylaxis. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
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