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Bacterial meningitis is a severe condition that results from the membranes being infected. The function of the membranes is to protect the brain and the spinal cord. When the meninges get infected, they get swollen, which leads to them pressing on the spinal cord or the brain, thus causing life-threatening issues. There have been cases of people getting infected by bacterial meningitis and dying quickly, with the death occurring a few hours after the infection (Sharew et al., 2020). However, the majority of patients diagnosed with the disease recover even though they may have permanent disabilities that include the loss of hearing, damage to the brain, and learning disabilities. Understanding the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic mechanisms, and treatment of bacterial meningitis is essential for saving a person’s life as well as preventing adverse health implications that affect life quality.
The first step to identifying bacterial meningitis is differentiating between the viral and bacterial types of the infection. Importantly, viral meningitis represents the most widespread type of meningitis in both adults and older children and can be the result of various viruses, which include herpes simplex, enterovirus, or the shingles virus (Meningitis Research Foundation, 2019). Among the viruses, enterovirus is the most likely cause of viral meningitis. While the infection presents with similar initial symptoms to bacterial meningitis, it is never life-threatening. Diagnostic testing is essential for differentiating between the two types of meningitis by identifying the presence of bacteria, which can include S. pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, and several others.
The pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis entails a complicated relationship between pathogens’ virulence factors and the immune response of the host. Most of the damage caused by the infection tends to result from cytokines’ release within the cerebrospinal fluid as the host has an inflammatory response to the bacteria. The infection manifests through such symptoms as high fever, severe and ongoing headaches, as well as the inability to place the chin to the chest as a result of neck stiffness. In adults and older children, there may be such symptoms as irritability and confusion as well as increased drowsiness (Cleveland Clinic, 2019). In severe cases, seizures and stroke can take place as a result of the infection if it remains untreated.
Laboratory investigations for diagnosing bacterial meningitis include blood cultures and spinal taps. A blood culture is necessary to conduct to determine whether there are any bacteria and microorganisms present in the sample. A spinal tap implemented in people with meningitis is likely to show a low level of sugar as well as an elevated number of white blood cells and proteins (Troendle & Pettigrew, 2019). As soon as the results of the lab tests are available and a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is made, it should be treated immediately using intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. Rapid treatment is necessary to facilitate recovery and lower the risks of complications, which can include seizures and brain swelling. Notably, the choice of a specific antibiotic or their combination relies on the type of bacteria that has been found to cause the infection. In some instances, early treatment is initiated before the specific cause of meningitis is known using a broad-spectrum antibiotic (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). Finally, it may be recommended to drain the infected sinuses or mastoids to relieve the pressure on them.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Bacterial meningitis. Web.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023). Meningitis. Diagnosis. Web.
Meningitis Research Foundation. (2019). What’s the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis? Web.
Sharew, A., Bodilsen, J., Hansen, B. R., Nielsen, H., & Brandt, C. T. (2020). The cause of death in bacterial meningitis. BMC Infections Diseases, 20(182). Web.
Troendle, M., & Pettigrew, A. (2019). A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture. BMC Infections Diseases, 19(692). Web.
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