Who is most likely to get spinal meningitis?
Hear this out loudPauseChildren younger than age 5 and people with weakened immune systems from disease, medications, or having a recent organ or bone marrow transplants are at increased risk for viral meningitis.
How many times can you get spinal meningitis?
Hear this out loudPauseIt is very unusual for anyone to have meningitis more than once, but it is possible. Most people some develop immunity to the organism that has caused their disease. However, there are several different causes of meningitis and therefore it is possible, but rare, to have the disease more than once.
Is Spinal Meningitis fatal?
Hear this out loudPauseSpinal meningitis is an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Once infection starts, it can spread rapidly through the body. Without treatment it can cause brain damage in a matter of hours and can be fatal within 24 hours.
How many cases of meningitis occur each year?
Once in the blood, they can reach the meninges, causing meningitis, or other body sites causing other syndromes. Over 1.2 million cases of bacterial meningitis are estimated to occur worldwide each year (24).
What are the different types of spinal meningitis?
The two most common types of spinal meningitis in the U.S. include: Viral meningitis: Viral meningitis is caused by enteroviruses, common viruses that enter the body through your mouth and travel to the brain and surrounding tissues where they multiply.
Can a person with spinal meningitis live in tight quarters?
Living in tight quarters such as dorms or barracks can increase meningitis risk. Meningitis can also occur very rarely after spine surgery where the lining around the dura is torn and at the same time a wound infection occurs. How Is Spinal Meningitis Diagnosed?
How is spinal meningitis transmitted from person to person?
Spinal meningitis is a potentially deadly infection of the meninges, the protective tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by specific viruses, bacteria, or fungi that gets transmitted from person to person by sneezing, talking, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Neck pain is a common symptom of spinal meningitis.
How often do people get bacterial meningitis?
It is not clear why only a very small percentage of people get this disease. In the United States, approximately 2,600 sporadic cases of Bacterial Meningitis are reported each year. Meningitis caused by pneumococcal infections affects about 1.1 in 100,000 individuals.
What kind of brain damage can meningitis cause?
It can cause severe brain damage and is fatal in 50% of cases if untreated. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, is of particular importance due to its potential to cause large epidemics. Twelve types of N. meningitides, called serogroups, have been identified, six of which (A, B, C, W, X and Y) can cause epidemics.
When to see a doctor for spinal meningitis?
Depending on the type of meningitis (viral or bacterial), the results of this brain and spinal cord infection can be serious, leading to permanent brain and organ damage, stroke, loss of hearing or limbs or even death. Anyone who experiences symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment.
Living in tight quarters such as dorms or barracks can increase meningitis risk. Meningitis can also occur very rarely after spine surgery where the lining around the dura is torn and at the same time a wound infection occurs. How Is Spinal Meningitis Diagnosed?