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Last Updated: Mar 14th, 2007 - 21:07:30 |
Almost a mysterious medical condition, meningitis can be fatal. Although, meningitis is atypically the by-product of a viral infection, it can be triggered by a bacterial infection. Not as prevalent, a fungal infection may result in meningitis. Since bacterial infections can be detrimental, identifying the origin, source, or cause of the infection is a vital component of prescribing an effective treatment plan.
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis may occur in one of two ways. With acute bacterial meningitis, bacteria usually enters the bloodstream and migrates to the brain and spinal cord. Additionally,
bacterial meningitis may transpire when bacteria directly assaults the meninges. The direct invasion of bacterial meningitis may occur as a result of a sinus infection, an ear infection or a skull fracture.
There are a number of bacteria strains that may trigger acute bacterial meningitis. The most prevalent ones include the following:
Streptococcus pneumoniae
In the United States, the bacteria, streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most prevalent cause of bacterial meningitis in both infants and pre-teen aged children. Streptococcus pneumoniae is related to be the cause of sinus infections, ear infections and pneumonia. In cases where pneumococcal meningitis transpires, it is unclear whether an ear infection is caused by the virus or vice versa. Since these two ailments are usually seen together, medical researchers have not investigated the cause and effects.
Neisseria meningitidis
The bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is another common cause of bacterial meningitis. When the strain enters the bloodstream, the meningococcal meningitis bacterium is derived often from an upper respiratory infection. In close knit quarters (boarding schools, college dormitories, military bases and other places) the infection is extremely contagious. Meningococcal meningitis has the ability to spark a local epidemic.
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