How is meningitis transmitted to humans

If a doctor suspects meningitis, he or she may collect samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid. The laboratory looks for evidence of parasitic infection and to rule out other causes. It often is hard to find these parasites in the cerebrospinal fluid or in other parts of the body. In addition to laboratory testing, the following may be helpful for making a diagnosis:. There is no specific treatment for EM caused by these parasites. Pain medication may be used for headaches. However, treatment for the infection might help some people.

It's also used to vaccinate healthy but previously unvaccinated people who have been exposed in outbreaks. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Meningitis Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Meningitis Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and three membranes meninges protecting your brain and spinal cord. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed Sept. Bacterial meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bartt R. Acute bacterial and viral meningitis.

Continuum Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Viral meningitis. Fungal meningitis. Derber CJ, et al. Head and neck emergencies: Bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, upper airway obstruction, and jugular septic thrombophlebitis. Medical Clinics of North America.

Longo DL, et al. Acute meningitis. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis involves antibiotics that can cross the blood-brain barrier a lining of cells that keeps harmful micro-organisms and chemicals from entering the brain.

Appropriate antibiotic treatment for most types of meningitis can greatly reduce the risk of dying from the disease. Anticonvulsants to prevent seizures and corticosteroids to reduce brain inflammation may be prescribed. Infected sinuses may need to be drained. Corticosteroids such as prednisone may be ordered to relieve brain pressure and swelling and to prevent hearing loss that is common in Haemophilus influenza meningitis.

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics, developed to kill bacteria, are not effective against viruses. Fortunately, viral meningitis is rarely life threatening and no specific treatment is needed. Fungal meningitis is treated with intravenous antifungal medications. Antiviral drugs used to treat viral encephalitis include acyclovir and ganciclovir. For most encephalitis-causing viruses, no specific treatment is available. Autoimmune causes of encephalitis are treated with additional immunosuppressant drugs and screening for underlying tumors when appropriate.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a non-infectious inflammatory brain disease mostly seen in children, is treated with steroids. Anticonvulsants may be prescribed to stop or prevent seizures.

Corticosteroids can reduce brain swelling. Affected individuals with breathing difficulties may require artificial respiration. Once the acute illness is under control, comprehensive rehabilitation should include cognitive rehabilitation and physical, speech, and occupational therapy. People should avoid sharing food, utensils, glasses, and other objects with someone who may be exposed to or have the infection.

People should wash their hands often with soap and rinse under running water. Effective vaccines are available to prevent Haemophilus influenza, pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis. People who live, work, or go to school with someone who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis may be asked to take antibiotics for a few days as a preventive measure.

To lessen the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito or other arthropod, people should limit outdoor activities at night, wear long-sleeved clothing when outdoors, use insect repellents that are most effective for that particular region of the country, and rid lawn and outdoor areas of free-standing pools of water, in which mosquitoes breed.

Repellants should not be over-applied, particularly on young children and especially infants, as chemicals such as DEET may be absorbed through the skin. Outcome generally depends on the particular infectious agent involved, the severity of the illness, and how quickly treatment is given. In most cases, people with very mild encephalitis or meningitis can make a full recovery, although the process may be slow.

Individuals who experience only headache, fever, and stiff neck may recover in weeks. Individuals with bacterial meningitis typically show some relief hours following initial treatment but are more likely to experience complications caused by the disease.

These individuals may need long-term therapy, medication, and supportive care. The recovery from encephalitis is variable depending on the cause of the disease and extent of brain inflammation. The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. Current research efforts include basic studies of host immune responses, gaining a better understanding of how the central nervous system responds to inflammation, and the role of T cells blood cells involved in immune system response in suppressing infection in the brain.

Meningitis and septicaemia are serious, life threatening illnesses. Read more. MRF Research projects. Since the charity was founded in , we have awarded research grants. Current projects. Help and support from MRF. Defeating meningitis by A global vision for meningitis by and an action plan to get there. About the author. Professor James Stuart. Email Me. Share this.