Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition, accounting for 80 percent of all meningitis cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When left untreated, bacterial meningitis can be a life threatening disease, causing brain tissue to swell, which can affect blood flow in the brain.
Causes of Bacterial Meningitis
The Merck Manual Home Edition notes that Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumonia are the two most common strains of bacterial meningitis in an external environment. However, cases of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumonia have diminished, due to the recommended vaccinations. For some people, these strains of bacterial meningitis can exist in their nose and upper respiratory system without causing a problem.
Sometimes em> Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumonia cause an infection in the brain without an identifiable reason, though immune system suppression is the most likely cause. Examples of reasons for immune suppression, provided by the Merck Manual Home Edition, include:
“Certain chronic disorders that affect the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, joints, or the endocrine or immune systeml
Use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, which may be used to prevent rejection of an organ transplant or to treat disorders such as cancer and autoimmune disorders;
Splenectomy (removal of the spleen);
Chronic infections of the middle ear, nose, or sinuses;
Pneumococcal pneumonia;
Sickle cell disease”
Another possible cause in brain injury, where the skull is fractured, thus allowing the bacterial strain in the nasal sinuses to pass to the sub-arachnoid space, resulting in an infection in the brain.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of bacterial meningitis include fever, headache, coughing, runny noise, and a stiff neck, where it is painful for the patient to move her chin towards her chest. The Merck Manual Home Edition notes that these symptoms may be confused with symptoms of a respiratory illness. Symptoms due to the swelling in the brain include irritability, confusion, and drowsiness; the drowsiness can escalate to stupor, coma, and death. A decrease in blood flow can also result in a stroke. Seizures are also a possible symptom of bacterial meningitis.
Two other neurological conditions can arise from bacterial meningitis. When the brain swelling causes CSF to build up and put pressure on the brain, hydrocephalus can occur. Subdural empyema is also possible, where pus collects under the dura mater, the outer layer of the meninges.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch received her bachelor’s of science degree in neuroscience from Trinity College in Hartford, CT in May 2009. She is the Hartford Women's Health Examiner and she writes about abuse on Suite 101.