Inflammation of the membranes (the meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord. If the blood vessels in the brain become inflamed, the brain becomes starved of oxygen. It can be caused by bacterial infection, viral infection and infection due to the microorganism meningococcus. The infection occurs in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the membranes. Individuals with viral meningitis, mostly infants and older children, tend to recover quickly and be restored to full health. In contrast, bacterial meningitis, once referred to as ‘disease of children and soldiers’, can be life-threatening: it can be fatal for 1 in 10 people even with treatment, with 1 in 5 being left with problems such brain injury and deafness. In the UK, there are about 2,500 cases of bacterial meningitis each year, and possibly twice that number for viral meningitis. The principal bacteria are haemophilus influenzae type b (meningococcal meningitis), neisseria meningitis and streptococcus pnuemoniae (pneumococcal meningitis). Hib neonatal meningitis occurs in infants under one month-old, but now that infants are immunized with Hib vaccine, this type of meningitis is on the decline. Fungal meningitis, resulting from fungus getting into the spinal cord through blood, usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS. Overall, children less that 2 years of age are most at risk for acquiring meningitis. Symptoms for bacterial meningitis include fever with cold extremities, vomiting, high-pitched crying, a pale, mottled complexion, and red or purple rash. A quick way initiating diagnosis is the so-called glass test: a drinking glass placed firmly against the rash, and if the rash fades under pressure then it is not probably meningitis. Not changing colour is a sign that medical help should be sought immediately. Famous people who died from meningitis include Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) and Unity Mitford (1911-1948).
See Anterior fontanelle, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Coccal infections, Encephalitis, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), Hydrocephalus, Meninges, Pia mater