Don't be afraid of meningitis, let's be fully informed!

Have you suddenly developed a severe headache with a high fever, and felt so stiff that you can't even move your neck? Or has your little baby developed a fever, is crying all the time, and is very restless without drinking milk? These are not symptoms that we should simply ignore. Because behind these symptoms, there may be a dangerous condition called "brain fever" or meningitis, which we have all heard of, which requires immediate medical attention. So, don't panic, let's be aware of this.

What is Meningitis?

Simply put, the brain, which is like the control center of our body, and the spinal cord that connects it and runs down the spine, are two very delicate and important organs. To protect these two valuable organs, they are surrounded by a covering made of three delicate membranes. We medically call these membranes the meninges . Think of them as something like the protective layers inside a helmet. Inside these meninges are the nerves, blood vessels, and important things called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

So, if for some reason these meningeal membranes become infected and swell, that is, if they become inflamed, that is what we call meningitis . When these membranes swell, the pressure on the brain and spinal cord increases. This can be a very dangerous condition, sometimes even life-threatening. Therefore, we consider this a medical emergency.

Are there main types of meningitis?

Yes, we divide meningitis into two main categories based on the cause. Those are types caused by bacterial infections and types caused by other non-infectious causes.

In addition, doctors refer to this condition in several other ways:

• Acute: Symptoms appear suddenly, suddenly. Bacterial meningitis often falls into this category.
• Chronic: Symptoms develop gradually and last for a month or more.
• Aseptic: If your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is tested and no bacteria are found, doctors call it aseptic meningitis. This is most likely caused by a viral infection.

What are the symptoms of this disease? How to recognize it?

Meningitis symptoms can vary depending on age. Especially in young children, the symptoms are very different from those in adults. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.

What does a meningitis headache feel like?

This is not like a normal headache. Headaches caused by meningitis are often very severe . The pain can radiate down the neck to the spine or other parts of the body. Moving the neck back and forth, especially bringing the chin to the chest, can be excruciatingly painful. However, some people may experience less pain. So, if you have other symptoms, don't wait until the headache is severe.

What causes meningitis? Is it contagious from person to person?

As we discussed earlier, meningitis can be caused by both infectious and non-infectious conditions.

• Bacterial meningitis: Most often caused by bacteria such as `Streptococcus pneumoniae` and `Neisseria meningitidis`.
• Viral meningitis: Can be caused by viruses such as `Enteroviruses`.
• Fungal meningitis: Can be caused by breathing in certain types of fungi found in the environment, such as `Cryptococcus neoformans`.
• Parasitic meningitis: A rare condition caused by the ingestion of certain parasites.
• Other causes: Severe head injuries, some cancers, autoimmune diseases like lupus, and, rarely, certain medications can also cause meningitis.

Now the big question you may be asking is whether it is contagious. Well, the 'condition' of meningitis (that is, inflammation of the meninges) is not contagious from person to person. However, the germs that cause bacterial and viral meningitis can be transmitted from person to person. This happens through things like sneezing, coughing, kissing, or eating from the same plate.

Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?

Some people are at slightly higher risk of developing meningitis than others.

• Children under 5 years of age and people over 65 years of age.
• People with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV-infected people, those undergoing cancer treatment).
• People who have had their spleen removed.
• People with chronic ear and nose infections.
• People who have undergone brain or spinal cord surgery.
• People who live in places where many people live together, like in a boarding house on campus or a military base.

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to the hospital, the first thing the doctor does is listen carefully to your symptoms and examine you. Then, they have to do several tests to confirm the illness and find the exact cause.

• Taking a sample from the nose or throat: Check for germs.
• Blood tests: Check for signs of infection.
• CT scan or MRI scan: To see if there is swelling around the brain.
• Lumbar puncture / spinal tap: This is the most important test. This involves inserting a very fine needle into your lower back and taking a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sending it to a lab. This fluid can be tested to determine if you have meningitis and whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus. There is no need to be afraid of this test, as doctors do it very carefully.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of meningitis.

• For bacterial meningitis , strong intravenous antibiotics need to be started immediately. This is an emergency.
• Viral meningitis usually resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Rest, fluids, and painkillers are the main treatments. However, if it is caused by certain viruses, such as herpesvirus, antiviral medications may be needed.
• Antifungals are given for fungal meningitis .
• In addition, corticosteroids are given to reduce swelling, pain and fever medications, and saline (IV fluids) to prevent dehydration.

Can meningitis be prevented?

Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are many things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Get vaccinated: This is the most important thing. There are effective vaccines against some of the germs that cause bacterial meningitis. Make sure your child gets all the vaccines they need according to the national vaccination schedule.
• Wash your hands thoroughly: Washing your hands regularly with soap is the best way to protect yourself from many germs.
• Stay away from people with contagious diseases: Avoid close contact with people who have coughs and colds.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Be careful with food and water: Eat well-cooked food. Avoid drinking or swimming in dirty water.
• Protection from mosquitoes and ticks.

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