The Effects of Meningitis on the Brain
The Effects of Bacterial Meningitis on the Brain
Abstract Meningitis is an infection of the subarachnoid space (located between the middle arachnid matter and the inner pia mater) of the meninges, which is the thin layer of tissues that line the brain and the spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid flows through the subarachnoid space and the meninges, providing cushion for the brain and the spinal cord, and filling the internal spaces within the brain. There are 2 main types of meningitis, including bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis. There are other forms of meningitis, including fungal and amoebic, but they are extremely rare. Bacterial meningitis, which is the less common form of the disease, is associated with serious and severe illness. There are many major intracranial effects of bacterial meningitis. The dangerous inflammation that is caused by bacterial meningitis can cause brain edema, brain damage and increased pressure within the brain, and therefore lead to learning disabilities, hearing loss, or even death without treatment for the specific type of bacteria. This inflammation can produce a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, or confusion and, in extreme cases, can cause brain damage, stroke, seizures, or even death. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis.
The Effects of Bacterial Meningitis on the Brain Bacterial meningitis is a very serious disease that is fatal in between 5% and 40% of patients and is known to cause neurological sequelae in 30% of survivors (Leib & Tauber, 1999). Bacterial meningitis can be caused by a number of different bacteria, including the most common; meningococcal bacteria, Haemophilus influenza and streptococcal infection (Department of Health, 2010). Unlike viral meningitis, it can potentially kill an otherwise healthy young person within 1 day after the first symptoms appear. The illness and death that is associated with bacterial
Abstract Meningitis is an infection of the subarachnoid space (located between the middle arachnid matter and the inner pia mater) of the meninges, which is the thin layer of tissues that line the brain and the spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid flows through the subarachnoid space and the meninges, providing cushion for the brain and the spinal cord, and filling the internal spaces within the brain. There are 2 main types of meningitis, including bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis. There are other forms of meningitis, including fungal and amoebic, but they are extremely rare. Bacterial meningitis, which is the less common form of the disease, is associated with serious and severe illness. There are many major intracranial effects of bacterial meningitis. The dangerous inflammation that is caused by bacterial meningitis can cause brain edema, brain damage and increased pressure within the brain, and therefore lead to learning disabilities, hearing loss, or even death without treatment for the specific type of bacteria. This inflammation can produce a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, or confusion and, in extreme cases, can cause brain damage, stroke, seizures, or even death. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis.
The Effects of Bacterial Meningitis on the Brain Bacterial meningitis is a very serious disease that is fatal in between 5% and 40% of patients and is known to cause neurological sequelae in 30% of survivors (Leib & Tauber, 1999). Bacterial meningitis can be caused by a number of different bacteria, including the most common; meningococcal bacteria, Haemophilus influenza and streptococcal infection (Department of Health, 2010). Unlike viral meningitis, it can potentially kill an otherwise healthy young person within 1 day after the first symptoms appear. The illness and death that is associated with bacterial