What is meningitis?!


Question: What is meningitis!?
A friend of mine died yesterday because of meningitis!. What causes this disease!? How does it usually present!? What are the symptoms, and where do we usually get it!? Is it really contagious!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Meningitis is an infection in a membrane that covers the brain!. It can be bacterial or viral!. It is very contagious!. Depending on the cause it can be spread through bodily fluids or the air!. Symptoms are a severe headache, stiff/painful neck, and high fever!. Sorry for the lose of your friend!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Meningitis is a bacterial or non-bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord!.
Cryptococcal meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans!.
Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges) caused by H!. influenzae bacteria!.
Acute bacterial meningitis is fulminant, often fatal pyogenic infection beginning in the meninges!. Symptoms include headache, fever, and stiff neck!. Without rapid treatment, obtundation and coma follow!. Diagnosis is by CSF tests!. Treatment requires antibiotics, often beginning empirically with a 3rd- or 4th-generation cephalosporin, vancomycin, and ampicillin; corticosteroids are usually given!. Residual morbidity is common!.
Aseptic meningitis is inflammation of the meninges with CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis and no cause apparent after routine CSF stains and cultures!. Viruses are the most common cause!. Other causes may be infectious or noninfectious!. Symptoms include fever, headache, and meningeal signs!. Viral aseptic meningitis is usually self-limited!. Treatment is usually symptomatic!.
Meningeal inflammation that lasts > 2 wk (subacute meningitis) or > 1 mo (chronic meningitis) may have infectious or noninfectious causes (eg, cancer)!. Diagnosis requires CSF analysis, usually after CT or MRI!. Treatment is directed at the cause!.
Gram-negative meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges) caused by gram-negative bacteria (bacteria that turn pink when exposed to a special stain)!.
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord!.
Pneumococcal meningitis is an inflammation or infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus)
Staphylococcal meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges), caused by Staphylococcus bacteria!.
Syphilitic aseptic meningitis is a complication of untreated syphilis that involves inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord!. The condition is marked by changes in mental status and problems with nerve function!.
Tuberculous meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)!. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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