Bacterial Meningitis, which is caused by three different types of bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is a serious infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. The disease can be spread from a person to other, with close contact of nose of throat. However, the disease is also caused by virus. Viral Meningitis, which is also called Aseptic Meningitis is generally milder and clears up within a week or two without specific treatment.

Infants and children are at greater risk against the disease. People who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis or Hib can also be at increased risk.

Some of the common symptoms of the infections are:

These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms can include:

In newborns and infants, the typical symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be hard to detect. Other signs in babies might be inactivity, irritability, vomiting, and poor feeding. As the disease progresses, patients of any age can have seizures.

We have already stated that this disease of infection can be caused by both virus and bacteria, hence the treatment of the disease differs, knowing the cause. In general cased it is detected by the growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid, which is obtained by a spinal tap. A doctor inserts a needle into the lower back and removes some fluid from the spinal canal. Identification of the type of bacteria responsible for the meningitis is important for the selection of correct antibiotic treatment.

Bacterial Meningitis can be a life threatening disease, which should be treated immediately. The initial treatment is done by different antibiotics, available in the market. However, if the problem is severe, regular medical review is recommended and patients are admitted in intensive care units.