Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. It is caused when germs infect the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which circulates around the brain and spinal cord. The infection can be caused by three kinds of germs; bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Viral meningitis is the most common and less severe type.  Almost all patients recover without any permanent damage, although full recovery may take many weeks or months. Bacteria however, cause severe infections which can lead to permanent damage or death. Fungi also cause severe infections but are much less frequent than bacterial meningitis.

Causes

Septicaemia is caused when bacteria enter and then multiply rapidly in the bloodstream, this manifestation of the infection may be seen alone or in addition to meningitis.

·        Viral meningitis is usually a mild disease, but it can make people very unwell. Many thousands of cases occur each year, mostly affecting babies and children. Although most people will make a full recovery, some are left with serious and debilitating after-effects.

·        Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical attention. Most people who suffer from bacterial meningitis recover, but many can be left with a variety of after-effects and one in 10 will die.

·        The main bacteria that cause meningitis in the UK are Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, TB and Hib
Neonatal meningitis occurs in babies under one month old. Other causes of meningitis are all serious and need medical attention.

·        Eschericia coli (E. Coli), seen mainly in newborn babies;

·        Streptococcus agalactiae B, (Group B Strep or GBS) seen mainly in newborn babies;

·        Listeria monocytogenes, seen mainly in newborn babies or persons with impaired immunity;

·        Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Tuberculosis or TB), seen in countries where tuberculosis is prevalent

·        The meningococcus can be subdivided into distinct groups called serogroups, of which serogroups A, B, C, Y and W135 are responsible for over 95% of cases meningitis and septicaemia. Although 6 distinct groups, called types, of Haemophilus influenzae have been identified, type b causes almost all human illness. There are almost 90 distinct groups , called serotypes, of the pneumococcus. In children less than five years of age, up to 13 of these serotypes cause most serious illnesses. In older children and adults a much larger number of pneumococcal serotypes cause disease – 23 cause around 85% of serious illnesses.

·        Meningitis germs share the same method of transmission from person to person. The first step occurs when the bacteria land on the mucosa of the back of the nose and throat. The bacteria colonise the surface of the mucosa, usually without causing any symptoms. This is called the carrier state, because the bacteria may persist in the nose and throat for weeks or months. The meningitis bacteria do not survive very long outside of the body. Infection spreads from person to person by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat which contain the bacteria. Spread from a carrier to another person requires close, direct physical contact, combined with activities such as kissing, coughing, and sneezing which result in production of large numbers of droplets which can be contaminated with bacteria.

Treatment

Bacterial meningitis requires immediate treatment with antibiotic medications. Viral meningitis is self-limiting and usually improves on its own as the illness runs its course.

Antiviral medications may be prescribed for meningitis caused by viruses. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections. Anticonvulsants may be used to prevent or treat seizures. Corticosteroids are used to reduce brain swelling and inflammation. Sedatives may be needed for irritability or restlessness. Individuals with bacterial meningitis are usually hospitalized and treated with antibiotics intravenously.

standard meningitis treatment involves delivering the antibiotics intravenously, through a vein, in the hospital. Oral antibiotics are less reliable for meningitis because their infection-fighting ability can be hampered by vomiting, poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and other uncertainties.

Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.

Some forms of bacterial meningitis are particularly dangerous as well as very contagious, so family members and friends who’ve had contact with the patient may need to take prophylactic antibiotics to prevent getting the disease. Ciprofloxacin is most commonly used for preventive meningitis treatment.

Homeopathic Treatment for Meningitis

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.