Meningitis is an infection blankets in the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur in response to a number of causes, including infectious agents, physical injuries, cancer, or certain medications. Most cases of meningitis occur today in young people aged 15 and 24. The most common is viral meningitis, that you get when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but it can be fatal. It usually begins with bacteria that cause cold-like infection. It can block the blood vessels in the brain and lead to strokes and brain damage. It can also affect other organs.

Older people also tend to have a higher incidence of meningitis that young children. The first symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), and muscle pain, with hands and feet cold. Headache is the most common form of meningitis (87 percent). Other signs commonly associated with meningitis are photophobia, phonophobia, irritability, delusions (in young children) and seizures.College students living in dormitories, personnel on military bases and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis because infectious diseases tend to spread quickly.

People who work with domestic animals, including farmers and dairy farmers, have a higher risk of contracting listeria, which can lead to some meningitis.Vaccines can prevent bacterial infections that cause meningitis. Many viruses and bacteria, which are responsible for meningitis are fairly common. Good hygiene is an important way to prevent infection. Encourage children to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Avoid close contact with someone who is not obviously ill and sharing food, drinks, utensils or can help prevent the spread of germs as well.

Meningitis Treatment and Prevention Tips

Good hygiene is an important way to prevent infection.

Avoiding close contact with someone who is obviously ill

Eating utensils can help halt the spread of germs as well.

Analyzing a sample of cerebrospinal fluid can help identify the bacteria.

Alternative treatment is chloramphenicol plus vancomycin also recommeded.