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| Home »Causes of Headaches » Meningitis |
Meningitis |
Headache Meningitis is a virus or bacteria caused infection of the fluid. This fluid fills the spinal cord and surrounds the brain. However, at the onset, it is necessary to know whether the headache is caused by viral or bacterial infection. If it is caused by viral infection then it may be considered as less severe. The latter can also lead to hearing deficiencies as well as brain damage. The cause of Headache Meningitis is the Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Neisseria Menengitidis bacteria.
The common symptoms of headache due to Meningitis are high fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, confusion, etc. These symptoms are found in the age group above two years. All of these symptoms develop over some span of time. If left untreated the bacterial Meningitis can be fatal. If you suspect Meningitis in family members then immediately consult a doctor. The common signs and symptoms of Meningitis are as follows:
- A high fever
- Severe headache
- Vomiting or nausea with headache
- Confusion, or difficulty concentrating — in the very young, this may appear as inability to maintain eye contact
- Seizures
- Sleepiness or difficulty waking up
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Lack of interest in drinking and eating
- Skin rash in some cases, such as in viral or meningococcal meningitis
For detecting Meningitis early, keep in mind the early signs and symptoms like leg pain, ice-cold hands and feet and abnormally pale skin tone. In newborn babies there may not be the classic signs and symptoms of headache and stiff neck, but they may simply cry constantly. They may seem unusually sleepy or irritable and eat poorly. The soft spot on an infant’s head may bulge as a sign of Meningitis. Spasm consisting of extreme hyperextension of the body is a very late sign of the disease. Bacterial Meningitis in children means they require immediate treatment. A delay in treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage. It can also prove fatal in a matter of days if you do not seek medical care rightaway.
The causes of Meningitis may be a viral infection but it can also be a bacterial infection. A fungal infection can also cause Meningitis but it is less common. Since the bacterial infection is mostly found, identifying the source of the infection is an important part of developing a treatment plan. Acute bacterial Meningitis occurs usually when the bacteria enters the bloodstream and migrates to the brain as well as the spinal cord. It may also occur when the bacteria invades the meninges directly as a result of an ear or sinus infection or a skull fracture.
The most common bacteria for Meningitis includes:
Streptococcus Pneumonaiae is the most common cause. Neisseria Meningitidis is another leading cause of bacterial Meningitis. Haemophilus Influenzae was the leading cause before the 1990s. Listeria Monocytogenes can be found almost everywhere.
Among the types of Meningitis are:
- Viral meningitis
- Chronic meningitis
- Fungal meningitis
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