What is the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis?!


Question: missoliviahu,
Meningitis is an illness in which there is inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral or "aseptic" meningitis, which is the most common type, is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses. It often remains undiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to those of the common flu. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if it is not treated right away. It is most commonly caused by one of three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The bacteria are spread by direct close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics. Prevention depends on use of vaccines, rapid diagnosis, and prompt treatment of close personal contacts. Meningitis can also be caused by infections with several types of bacteria or fungi. There are up to 4,000 people hospitalised in the UK due to viral meningitis each year.
I add a link with details of this subject

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk /
articles/article.aspx?articleId=245#

Hope this helps
matador 89


Answers: missoliviahu,
Meningitis is an illness in which there is inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral or "aseptic" meningitis, which is the most common type, is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses. It often remains undiagnosed because its symptoms can be similar to those of the common flu. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if it is not treated right away. It is most commonly caused by one of three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The bacteria are spread by direct close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics. Prevention depends on use of vaccines, rapid diagnosis, and prompt treatment of close personal contacts. Meningitis can also be caused by infections with several types of bacteria or fungi. There are up to 4,000 people hospitalised in the UK due to viral meningitis each year.
I add a link with details of this subject

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk /
articles/article.aspx?articleId=245#

Hope this helps
matador 89

Viral meningitis is usually less severe and resolves without special treatment. Many different viruses can cause meningitis. Most of them are more common during the summer and fall months.Bacterial meningitis is extremely serious. It may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability. It is important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis

viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis where you can't isolate any parasite and the protein content of CSF would be not much altered, and you can find lots of Ab response, where as in case of bacterial meningitis the bacteria can be isolated from the CSF, and protein will be less.

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