Pneumococcal meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBacteria are one type of germ that can cause meningitis. The pneumococcal bacteria are one kind of bacteria that cause meningitis.
Causes
Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (also called pneumococcus, or S pneumoniae). This type of bacteria is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. It is the second most common cause of meningitis in children older than age 2.
Risk factors include:
- Alcohol use
- Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - History of meningitis
- Infection of a heart valve with S pneumoniae
- Injury or trauma to the head
- Meningitis in which there is leakage of spinal fluid
- Recent ear infection with S pneumoniae
- Recent pneumonia with S pneumoniae
- Recent upper respiratory infection
- Spleen removal or a spleen that does not function
Symptoms
Symptoms usually come on quickly, and may include:
- Fever and chills
- Mental status changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
- Agitation
- Bulging fontanelles in infants
Bulging fontanelles
A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Decreased consciousness
- Poor feeding or irritability in children
- Rapid breathing
- Unusual posture, with the head and neck arched backwards (opisthotonos)
Opisthotonos
Opisthotonos is a condition in which a person holds their body in an abnormal position. The person is usually rigid and arches their back, with thei...
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Pneumococcal meningitis is an important cause of fever in infants.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Questions will focus on symptoms and possible exposure to someone who might have the same symptoms, such as a stiff neck and fever.
If the provider thinks meningitis is possible, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will likely be done. This is to obtain a sample of spinal fluid for testing.
Spinal tap
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOther tests that may be done include:
- Blood culture
- Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - CT scan of the head
- Gram stain or other special stains, and culture of the spinal fluid
Treatment
Antibiotics will be started as soon as possible. Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics.
If the antibiotic is not working and the provider suspects antibiotic resistance, vancomycin or rifampin are used. Sometimes, corticosteroids are used.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Meningitis is a dangerous infection and it can be deadly. The sooner it is treated, the better the chance for recovery. Young children and adults over age 50 have the highest risk for death.
Possible Complications
Long-term complications may include:
- Brain damage
- Buildup of fluid between the skull and brain (subdural effusion)
- Buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to brain swelling (hydrocephalus)
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...
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- Seizures
Seizures
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has the following symptoms:
- Feeding problems
- High-pitched cry
- Irritability
- Persistent unexplained fever
Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.
Prevention
Early treatment of pneumonia and ear infections caused by pneumococcus may decrease the risk of meningitis. There are also two effective vaccines available to prevent pneumococcus infection:
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PP...
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/v...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/pcv. html
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The following people should be vaccinated, according to current recommendations:
- Children
- Adults age 65 and older
- People at high risk for pneumococcus infection
Reviewed By
Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Meningitis. About bacterial meningitis. www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/bacterial-meningitis.html. Updated January 9, 2024. Accessed June 17, 2024.
Hasbun R, Van de Beek D, Brouwer MC, Tunkel AR. Acute meningitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87.
Ramirez KA, Peters TR. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 209.