A Measles Death, Vaccines, and the Media's Failure to Inform
Meningitis Took My Fingers, Part Of My Foot And Left Me Scarred. Your Child Can Be Sparred
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Meningitis: Everything You Need To Know
Meningitis can occur due to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection and requires emergency medical treatment. Symptoms may include a stiff neck, sleepiness, and headaches, among others.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and three membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. Other causes may include:
Some viral and bacterial meningitis are contagious. They can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
The symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis can be similar in the beginning. However, bacterial meningitis symptoms are usually more severe. The symptoms also vary depending on your age.
Viral meningitis symptomsViral meningitis in infants may cause:
In adults, viral meningitis may cause:
Bacterial meningitis symptomsBacterial meningitis symptoms develop suddenly. They may include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms. Bacterial and viral meningitis can be deadly. There's no way to know if you have bacterial or viral meningitis just by judging how you feel. Your doctor will need to perform tests to determine which type you have.
Fungal meningitis symptomsSymptoms of fungal meningitis resemble the other types of this infection. These may include:
You're diagnosed with chronic meningitis when your symptoms last for longer than 4 weeks.
The symptoms of chronic meningitis are similar to other forms of acute meningitis, but can sometimes develop slower.
One of the later signs that one bacterial cause of meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis, is in your bloodstream is a faint rash on your skin.
The bacteria from a meningococcal meningitis infection reproduce in your blood and target cells around the capillaries. Damage to these cells leads to capillary damage and mild blood leaks. This shows up as a faint pink, red, or purple rash. The spots may resemble tiny pinpricks and are easily mistaken as a bruise.
As the infection worsens and spreads, the rash can become more obvious. The spots will grow darker and larger.
People with darker skin may have a harder time seeing a meningitis rash. Lighter areas of skin, such as the palms of hands and the inside of the mouth, may show signs of a rash more easily.
Not every rash looks the same. See photos of meningitis rashes to understand how this symptom might occur.
Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of meningitis. There are several other forms of meningitis. Examples include cryptococcal, which is caused by a fungal infection, and carcinomatous, which is cancer-related. These types are less common.
Viral meningitisViral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause about 52 percent of cases in adults and 58 percent of cases in infants. These are more common during the summer and fall, and they include:
Viruses in the Enterovirus category cause about 10 to 15 million infections per year, but only a small percentage of people who get infected will develop meningitis.
Other viruses can cause meningitis. These include:
Viral meningitis typically goes away without treatment. However, some causes do need to be treated.
Bacterial meningitisBacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. It can be fatal if left untreated. About 1 in 10 people who get bacterial meningitis die, and 1 in 5 have serious complications. This can be true even with proper treatment.
The most common types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis are:
Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. It's caused by a fungus that infects your body and then spreads from your bloodstream to your brain or spinal cord.
People with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop fungal meningitis. This includes people with cancer or HIV.
The most common funguses related to fungal meningitis include:
This type of meningitis is less common than viral or bacterial meningitis, and it's caused by parasites that are found in dirt, feces, and on some animals and food, like snails, raw fish, poultry, or produce.
One type of parasitic meningitis is rarer than others. It's called eosinophilic meningitis (EM). Three main parasites are responsible for EM. These include:
Parasitic meningitis is not passed from person to person. Instead, these parasites infect an animal or hide out on food that a human then eats. If the parasite or parasite eggs are infectious when they're ingested, an infection may occur.
One very rare type of parasitic meningitis, amebic meningitis, is a life-threatening type of infection. This type is caused when one of several types of ameba enters the body through the nose while you swim in contaminated lakes, rivers, or ponds. The parasite can destroy brain tissue and may eventually cause hallucinations, seizures, and other serious symptoms. The most commonly recognized species is Naegleria fowleri.
Non-infectious meningitisNon-infectious meningitis is not an infection. Instead, it is a type of meningitis that's caused by other medical conditions or treatments. These include:
This classification is given to cases of meningitis that last longer than 4 weeks.
The causes of chronic meningitis can be fungi, rheumatological conditions, and cancer, among others. Treatment for chronic meningitis is directed at treating the cause (i.E., managing rheumatoid arthritis).
Each type of meningitis has a slightly different cause, but each ultimately acts in the same way: A bacterium, fungus, virus, or parasite spreads through the body (via the bloodstream, nerve endings, or even a dormant reactivation in the nervous system) until it reaches the brain, or spinal cord. There, it sets up in the lining or fluids around these vital body parts and starts developing into a more advanced infection.
Non-infectious meningitis is the result of a physical injury or other condition; it doesn't involve an infection.
Yes, there is a vaccine for several types of bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is one version for which vaccines are available. While viral meningitis is more common, bacterial meningitis can be more dangerous if it's not diagnosed and treated quickly.
For that reason, the two primary vaccines for meningitis are for bacterial causes:
Side effects of a meningitis vaccine can include:
These side effects should subside in 3-7 days.
Who should get the MenACWY vaccine?The CDC recommends the MenACWY vaccine for:
The CDC recommends that anyone 10 years old or older who is at an increased risk for meningococcal disease get the MenB vaccine.
Special conditionsWhile most younger children and adults do not need a meningitis vaccine, the CDC recommends it for the following conditions:
Talk to your doctor about the proper time to have your child vaccinated for meningitis, as well as yourself, if you fall into any of the categories above.
Your treatment is determined by the cause of your meningitis.
Several types of meningitis are not contagious. Fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious meningitis are not contagious.
Viral meningitis is contagious. It's spread through direct contact with body fluids, including mucus, feces, and saliva. Droplets of infected fluid can be spread and shared with sneezing and coughing. You do not have to come into direct contact with an infected person to pick up this infection.
Bacterial meningitis, the most serious form of meningitis, can also be contagious, especially if it's meningococcal meningitis. It's spread through extended contact with an infected person. Schools, daycare centers, military barracks, hospitals, and college dorms are prime locations for sharing this infection.
Some types of meningitis are spread through person-to-person contact, but not all. Learn more about the types that are contagious and how you can avoid them.
Babies who develop meningitis may show different signs and symptoms of an infection than adults. These symptoms can include:
Viral meningitis can be common in infants. It can develop as a result of unmanaged colds, cold sores, flu, and diarrhea. The viruses that cause these common conditions also cause viral meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis, which is common but life threatening, most likely spreads from a serious infection in a nearby area of the body. For example, the bacteria from a severe ear infection or sinus infection can enter the bloodstream and find their way to the brain or spinal cord and cause a bigger infection.
Meningitis becomes more common in children as they grow older and reach high school and college ages. Symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis in children are similar to symptoms in adults. These include:
The risk for several forms of meningitis decreases after young adulthood. That's in large part due to changing circumstances. Schools and college dorms are common sites where some forms of meningitis can be easily shared. Once a young adult ages out of these settings, the likelihood of an infection begins to fall.
However, older individuals who are living with underlying diseases or health conditions that weaken the immune systems can be at a greater risk — especially older adults who reside in assisted living facilities, where infections can spread quickly.
Teachers, healthcare professionals, and daycare staffers are also at an elevated risk.
Diagnosing meningitis starts with a health history and physical exam. Age, dorm residence, and daycare center attendance can be important clues. During the physical exam, your doctor will look for:
Your doctor will also order a lumbar puncture. This test is also called a spinal tap. It allows your doctor to analyze the cerebral spinal fluid, which contains a number of clues regarding an infection. Some of the clues in the cerebral spinal fluid can be glucose, white blood cell count, and red blood cell count. This test can also determine the best antibiotic for treatment.
Other tests may also be ordered to diagnose meningitis. Common tests include the following:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially if you're at increased risk, is important. This includes:
If you've been in close contact with one or more people who have a bacterial meningococcal infection, your doctor can give you preventive antibiotics. This will decrease your chances of developing the disease.
Vaccinations can also protect against certain types of meningitis. Vaccines that can prevent meningitis include the following:
Practicing good personal hygiene may also help you prevent meningitis. Some types of meningitis are spread through close contact with an infected person's body fluid, such as saliva and nasal secretions. Avoid sharing drinks, utensils, and personal items that may carry saliva or other fluids.
Pregnancy and listeriaA listeria infection (L. Monocytogenes) can lead to a bacterial meningitis infection if not treated quickly, and this type of infection can be very dangerous to a developing baby.
Certain types of food, such as soft cheeses, celery, sprouts, cantaloupe, and ice cream, have recently been connected to listeria outbreaks, but this doesn't mean eating these foods while pregnant guarantees an infection.
If you're pregnant, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about listeria risks and foods.
These complications are typically associated with meningitis:
A meningitis infection may produce bacteria in the bloodstream. These bacteria multiply and some release toxins. That can cause blood vessel damage and leaking of blood into the skin and organs.
A serious form of this blood infection can be life threatening. Gangrene may damage skin and tissue. In rare cases, amputation may be necessary. Several other serious complications may occur in people with meningitis who are not treated properly.
Pneumococcal meningitis is a rare but serious and life-threatening form of bacterial meningitis. Even with treatment, about 1 in 20 people with this type of infection die.
About 40 percent of people carry bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae in their throat and the back of the nose. These bacteria are responsible for common illnesses like pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections.
From time to time, however, those bacteria manage to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause inflammation and infection in the brain, spinal cord, or fluids immediately surrounding them.
Symptoms of this serious form of meningitis include:
Fortunately, two vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal meningitis. Learn more about them and other ways to prevent this deadly form of infection.
The following are some of the risk factors for meningitis:
Compromised immunityPeople with an immune deficiency are more vulnerable to infections. This includes the infections that cause meningitis. Certain disorders and treatments can weaken your immune system. These include:
Cryptococcal meningitis, which is caused by a fungus, is the most common form of meningitis in people with HIV.
Community livingMeningitis is easily spread when people live in close quarters. Being in small spaces increases the chance of exposure. Examples include:
Pregnant women have an increased risk of listeriosis, which is an infection caused by the Listeria bacteria. Infection can spread to the unborn child.
AgeAll ages are at risk for meningitis. However, certain age groups have a higher risk. Children under the age of 5 are at increased risk of viral meningitis. Infants are at higher risk of bacterial meningitis. Older adults can also be at risk for certain infections that can lead to meningitis.
Working with animalsFarm workers and others who work with animals have an increased risk of infection with Listeria.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and three membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding these membranes becomes infected.
There are a few different types of meningitis, including viral, bacterial, and fungal meningitis.
Meningitis can be quite dangerous if not treated quickly, and can cause death.
On a positive note, vaccines, mostly for bacterial meningitis, are available for pre-teens and teens, as well as anyone who may be at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Meningitis Vaccine: The Facts
by ROGER DOBSON, Daily Mail
With reports of children having died in Britain after being vaccinated against meningitis, parents will be wondering if they should
immunise their children. Here, we look at the most frequently asked questions about
this disease and its vaccine...
What is meningitis?
It is an inflammation of the lining of the brain, which can develop very
rapidly. It is rare and can be serious, although if treated
early most people make a full recovery.
Septicaemia is a form of blood poisoning, which may be caused by the same
germs that cause meningitis.
In the UK, groups B and C types of meningitis are the commonest, and group C
accounts for about 40pc of cases.
What does the vaccine do?
It will protect against Group C meningococcal disease, a major cause of
meningitis and septicaemia in the young. It does not protect against Group B
infection.
How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine is made from part of the meningococcal organism. The aim is to trick the body's immune system into believing
it is being attacked by the meningitis C bug.
It then creates antibodies so that when the real thing comes along, the body
will be able to fight off the infection. Tests suggest the vaccine should
give long-lasting immunity.
Can a child get meningitis or septicaemia from the vaccine?
No, because the new vaccine is not 'live' and cannot give anyone meningitis
or septicaemia.
How is it given?
The vaccine is given by injection into the upper arm, thigh or buttock, and
became part of the routine immunisation schedule in the UK from autumn 1999
Can it be given at the same time as childhood vaccines?
Studies suggest it can safely be given at the same time as MMR and the
pre-school booster and the school leavers' immunisation.
Is it safe to give babies yet another vaccine as part of the routine
programme?
The Department of Health says there is no evidence that vaccines overload a
child's immune system.
How many doses are needed for complete protection?
Original plans were for babies aged two, three and four months to have doses
with each of their polio immunisations. Babies aged over four months and up
to one year will have two doses at least one month apart. Children over one
year and adults need only one dose.
Are there any reasons why the vaccine should not be given?
A high fever on the day of the injection, a severe allergic
response to a previous immunisation, and young women who think they may be
pregnant.
How safe is it? The DoH says:
'Extensive safety tests have been carried out on the vaccine and it has
excellent safety profiles in all ages.' While the vaccine is new, the
constituents are not.
What are these side-effects?
Most common reactions are redness and swelling at injection site, and mild
fever, irritability and headaches.
What long-term studies have been carried out?
Infants first received the vaccine in the UK in 1994, and these are still
being followed up.
No adverse effects have been seen.
Does that mean the vaccine is 100 pc safe?
It is important to remember that the immunisation campaign will involve its
use by millions, and with such numbers, unsuspected and rare side-effects do
sometimes become apparent.
How dangerous is meningitis?
In the year before the vaccine was introduced, about 1,500 people in the UK
were infected by group C meningococci. Of those, 150 mainly children and
young people died.
Who is at most risk?
Meningitis C is most common in babies.
How is it spread?
Meningococcal bacteria can be spread by coughing, sneezing or direct
contact, including kissing.
What are the symptoms?
In babies look for a high-pitched, moaning cry, difficulty in waking, a
refusal to feed or bouts of vomiting, pale or blotchy skin, and red or purple
spots that do not fade under pressure.
In older children and adults, look for said red or purple spots, stiffness in the neck, drowsiness or confusion, severe
headache, vomiting, high temperature and a dislike of bright light.
People with septicaemia usually have a rash, which can be anything from tiny
red spots to large blotchy bruises. Their skin may also be pale and they may
complain of joint pains.
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