Spinal meningitis is a form of meningitis as a result of either a viral or bacterial infection. If infected, the spinal fluid within your spinal cord, as well as the fluid within your brain, becomes susceptible to damage. If the meningitis is caused by a virus, the illness and treatment is less severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. If infected with bacterial meningitis, bacteria can migrate to your bloodstream and wreak havoc on your spinal cord or brain.
Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic states that individuals who become infected with meningitis often confuse their symptoms with the flu. Early symptoms may include fever, body rash and headache. You may have nausea or vomiting and sleepiness or difficulty waking up. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention if you have a young child who has the above symptoms, and who also seems confused and can't keep her eyes focused. Newborns may cry excessively and be difficult to comfort. A newborn may also refuse to eat, have a bulge on his soft spot, or his body may appear stiff.
Risks
Children are susceptible to catching meningitis, as well as the elderly. According to the Mayo Clinic, bacterial meningitis usually affects those who are between 15 months and 25 years of age. In areas where meningitis is quick to spread, such as dorms, schools and hospitals, infection can occur. People with a compromised immune system, such as those with HIV or AIDS, have a higher likelihood of getting spinal meningitis. Pregnancy and working with animals can lead to a risk of catching listeria or listeriosis (bacterias), which can then result in meningitis.
Contagion
Meningitis is very contagious. Being in close proximity to someone who is infected with meningitis can lead to infection. Meningitis can be spread through bodily fluids, but not by casual contact. In other words, if you were to pass by someone who was infected, you would be highly unlikely to catch the virus. If you lived in the same house as an infected person, your odds of catching the virus would increase because you would be in constant contact with this person.
Complications
If left untreated, severe complications can occur. Seizures and permanent brain damage can be a result of spinal meningitis. Hearing loss, blindness, limb loss and speech loss are also common. If a child catches meningitis, she may suffer from learning disabilities, behavioral problems, brain damage and paralysis as a result of the infection on the brain. Because the elderly and children are more susceptible to the effects of this disease, prompt treatment is necessary in order to avoid shock or even death.
Treatment
Depending on the type of infection, different measures need to be taken for treatment. In the case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be needed. In the case of children, if swelling on the brain is severe, draining of the fluid may be necessary in order to avoid shock. With viral meningitis, there is no antibiotic cure. Much like when you have the flu, you will require bed rest and medications such as Tylenol to help alleviate body aches.
Prevention/Solution
Children are often vaccinated with what is known as a HiB vaccine. This can help in the prevention of getting a meningitis infection. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after touching surfaces in public places, or whenever you go to a petting zoo with your children. When pregnant, never eat undercooked meat or raw fish, in order to decrease the chances of getting listeriosis. Always eat foods that are fully cooked.
Tags: bacterial meningitis, brain damage, infected with, your spinal cord, avoid shock