MENINGITIS

Meningitis is the inflammation of the coverings around the brain and  spinal cord.It is mainly caused due to bacterial and viral infections thus the meningitis is of two types  

• Viral meningitis fairly common
• Bacterial meningitis which is not common but very severe

CAUSES FOR MENINGITIS?

• May be caused by virus, bacteria, other organisms and due to some medicines which is very rare
• The germs that cause meningitis can be spread from person to person

SYMPTOMS:

• A stiff and painful neck
• fever
• headache
• vomiting
• seizures
• photo phobia (intolerance to bright light)
• phonophobia (intolerance to loud noises)

HOW IT IS DIAGONISED
FOR  any patient who is suspected of having meningitis ,it is important to perform a lumbar puncture, in which spinal fluid known as CSF is collected for testing. Tests that may be done include

• Blood culture
• chest X-Ray
• CSF examination for cell count,glucose,and protiens
• CT scan of head
• Gram stain

TREATMENT
Bacterial or severe viral meningitis may require treatment in a hospital including

• ANTIBIOTICS are given through vein but only when it is Bacterial meningitis else the usage of antibiotics when they are not needed may cause drug resistance
• CORTICOSTEROIDS medicines such as  dexamethasone may be given in order to reduce pressure within the brain
• Measures such as ACETAMINOPHEN is given in order to reduce fever
• medicines such as PHENOBARBITAL OR DILANTIN can be given to reduce seizures
• Oxygen Therapy may be given if the patient have trouble breathing and to increase the amount of oxygen in all parts of the body