Meningitis meaning

Gram-negative meningitis is a form of meningitis. The term gram-negative refers to a way of differentiating bacteria. This type of bacteria is typically resistant to drugs and most available antibiotics. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Gram-negative meningitis is a form of bacterial meningitis caused by gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria are a type of bacteria that have a The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that bacterial meningitis is the most common dangerous form of the disease. They also note that it can be fatal in around Read on to learn about gram-negative meningitis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatments. Share on Pinterest Pornpak Khunatorn/Getty Images A person who has gram-negative meningitis has a • Escherichia coli ( E. coli) • Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K. pneumoniae) • P. aeruginosa) • Serratia marcescens Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane that differs from This type of The most common samples used for a gram stain test include: • wound samples • blood • urine • throat and tonsil cultures • thick A gram stain uses a stain to check the sample for infection. This stain changes color based on the type of bacteria causing the infection. If it turns purple, the person has an infection caused by gram-positive bacteria. If it turns pink or red, the infection is due to gram-ne...

Tuberculous meningitis occurs when the bacterium that causes tuberculosis infects the tissue surrounding the brain or spinal cord. While it can affect anyone, the disease most often occurs in countries where there is a high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (infection of the lungs). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is most prevalent in certain countries within Asia and Africa. Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. It usually affects the lungs, but can spread to the brain, spine, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Without treatment, tuberculosis can cause death. Tuberculous meningitis and other forms of bacterial meningitis are often more serious than Miliary tuberculosis is so named because it causes spots the size of millet, which are the small round seeds found in bird food. The bacteria spread through the bloodstream, infecting other organs in the body. When the bacteria infect the brain and spinal cord, tuberculous meningitis occurs. This can be immediate or develop months or years after the initial infection. Getting an early diagnosis and treatment gives you the best chance of curing the disease without complications. Enduring treatment that involves taking medication for 10 months or longer can be challenging. However, following a medically supervised treatment plan can reduce your risk of long-term effects and improve your outcome. Tuberc...

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective layers surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meninges). Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and non-infectious conditions can cause meningitis. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity. If you think you have meningitis, go to the ER immediately. Overview Classic symptoms of meningitis in adults are fever, headache and neck stiffness, but not everyone has every symptom. Newborns and babies may instead vomit, act fussy, not eat well, lack energy and be difficult to wake up. What is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the area surrounding your brain and spinal cord ( Your meninges protect your brain and spinal cord from injury and provide support and structure. They contain nerves, blood vessels and protective fluid (cerebrospinal fluid). What is spinal meningitis? Spinal meningitis is another name for meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. What is aseptic meningitis? Aseptic meningitis is any case of meningitis where the fluid around your brain and spine (CSF) tests negative for bacteria. This means either the bacteria causing meningitis is difficult to grow or that your case of meningitis isn’t caused by bacteria. The most common cause of aseptic meningitis is a viral infection. What’s the difference between meningitis and encephalitis? The difference between meningitis and What are the types of meningitis? Types of m...

Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis. Several different bacteria can cause meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis are the most frequent ones. N. meningitidis, causing meningococcal meningitis, is the one with the potential to produce large epidemics. There are 12 serogroups of N. meningitidis that have been identified, 6 of which (A, B, C, W, X and Y) can cause epidemics. Meningococcal meningitis can affect anyone of any age, but mainly affects babies, preschool children and young people. The disease can occur in a range of situations from sporadic cases, small clusters to large epidemics throughout the world, with seasonal variations. Geographic distribution and epidemic potential differ according to serogroup. The largest burden of meningococcal meningitis occurs in the meningitis belt, an area of sub-Saharan Africa, which stretches from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. N. meningitidis can cause a variety of diseases. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) refers to the range of invasive diseases caused by N. meningitidis, including septicemia, arthritis and meningitis. Similarly, S. pneumoniae causes other invasive diseases inc...

Meningitis caused by viruses ordinarily has a short, uncomplicated, self-limited course that does not require specific therapy. Patients usually recover in three to five days, typically without any serious result. meningitis, The term meningitis is often applied to meningococcal meningitis, which is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, known commonly as 44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes There are multiple types, or serogroups, of N. meningitidis that can cause meningococcal meningitis. Serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135 are among the most infectious, producing the majority of cases of the disease worldwide. In Africa, serogroup A is responsible for an estimated 90 percent of meningitis outbreaks. Meningococcal meningitis is usually CFH ( CFHR3 (complement factor H-related 3), which encode N. meningitidis escapes recognition by the proteins and thereby is able to cause disease. Other bacterial causes of meningitis Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Various other strains of Course of the disease Bacterial meningitis usually has three main stages. At first, the bacteria multiply in the nasal passages and throat, often causing no painful symptoms. Next, they invade the blood, introducing N. meningitidis, a rash may appear and develop into hemorrhagic spots ( A characteristic of meningitis is the rapid onset of symptoms, which may result in death within only a few hours. The first symptom of meningitis is...

Testing for meningitis can include various tests, including a physical exam, blood tests, bacterial cultures, and cerebrospinal fluid tests. Four types of meningitis are possible: • Bacterial: The • Viral (aseptic): The • Fungal: This • Parasitic: This You don’t always need treatment for nonbacterial meningitis. The infection may clear up on its own. Meningitis can be mistaken for the flu, dehydration, or Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any symptoms of meningitis. You should also contact your doctor if someone close to you at home or work has been diagnosed. Watch out for these symptoms: • having severe neck stiffness with no apparent cause • experiencing a constant, painful headache • feeling disoriented • feeling sick and throwing up • running a high fever (101°F and higher), particularly with the above symptoms Early treatment, within 2 to 3 days (less than 1 day is recommended), can help prevent long-term or severe complications. Bacterial meningitis can quickly become deadly or cause brain damage in a few days without antibiotics. Your doctor will conduct a full physical examination as the first step in looking for signs of meningitis. First, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, your medical history, and whether you’ve been on any recent trips to regions with a higher rate of certain types of meningitis. Then, your doctor will check your entire body for any unusual markings, signs, or lumps. A purplish or reddish Your doctor may also look for t...

What is aseptic meningitis? Viruses cause most aseptic meningitis cases, which is why the condition is also known as viral meningitis. Aseptic meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis. But its symptoms are usually less severe. Serious complications are rare. Most people recover within two weeks after the onset of symptoms. About half of all aseptic meningitis cases are caused by common seasonal viruses in the late summer and early fall. Viruses that can cause aseptic meningitis include the following: • • • • • measles • • You can contract viruses by coming into contact with an infected person’s cough, saliva, or fecal matter. You can also contract some of these viruses from a mosquito bite. In rare cases, other conditions can lead to aseptic meningitis. These include: • fungal infection • • • • drug allergies • inflammatory diseases Aseptic meningitis may develop quickly or over several weeks, depending on the type of organism that caused the condition. Anyone can get aseptic meningitis, but the highest rates occur among children under age 5. The vaccines that protect children from bacterial meningitis aren’t always effective against aseptic meningitis, which is caused by viruses and other organisms. Children who attend school or day care are at an increased risk of catching a virus that can cause aseptic meningitis. Adults who work in these facilities are also at risk. People are more likely to develop meningitis if they have a condition that weakens their immu...