The Cause of Meningitis
What is the most common cause of meningitis?
One of the most common pathogens in the onset of meningitis is the meningococcus, it is a cookie-shaped bacteria with special eagerness to inflame the meningeal structures.
Have distinguished four different types of meningococcus, is classified into types A, B, C and Y, each with special characteristics, in which we will not enter. But knowledge of the existence of these subtypes is critical to understand the problem then the meningococcal vaccine raises.
Meningococcal meningitis can occur sporadically, ie in a community is a isolated case, or associated with outbreaks of meningitis, as has happened in recent years in some parts of Spain.
Meningococcal meningitis can affect any age but is most common in children and young adults can occur at any time of year, but the cases are more frequent in winter and early spring.Where does the meningococcus?
The germ is commonly found in the nasopharynx and it is estimated that nearly 50% of cases the disease is preceded or accompanied by discomfort in swallowing, or sore throat. From the nasopharynx, the germ can travel through the blood and reach various organs including the joints, meninges, heart, ears or eyes. A very important fact in meningococcal meningitis is the presence of certain liver spots, appearing in almost 60% of patients with meningococcal meningitis, which can appear anywhere in the body.
What is the mortality rate for meningococcal meningitis?
In our environment, the mortality of this type of meningitis is little more than 5%, being clearly related to the delay in treatment.
How frequent complications of meningococcal meningitis?
Complications due to the inflammatory response of the meninges, secondary to infection. Typically, full resolution and no sequelae of meningococcal meningitis rarely may be complicated by deafness, seizures, blindness or other alterations.
credit to: Dr. Pedro Gargantilla Madera, Dra. Gillian Rice