Types Of Meningitis

What different types of meningitis are there? This disease affects the membrane which covers the spinal cord or the brain. It normally manifests itself in the form of inflammations in these regions. Due to a variety of causes, the recent research has since classified different types of meningitis into the following five categories namely:

– The viral meningitis

– The bacterial meningitis

– The parasitic meningitis

– The fungal meningitis

– The non-infectious meningitis

The bacterial meningitis

This type of meningitis is normally caused by pathogens which include Haemophilus influenza, Listeria monoctogenes, streptococcus (group B) etc.

There are very many factors which may expose one to high risks of getting this very severe disease. These factors include; travelling to area prone to meningitis such as the sub-Saharan Africa, working with meningitis causing pathogens, age or at times the health conditions. These types of meningitis have very adverse effects such as damaging brain cells, resulting to hearing loss among other disabilities.

The bacterial meningitis can be transmitted a number of ways which include exchange of throat or respiratory secretions. It’s very contagious. Among the symptoms associated with this disease include vomiting, nausea, and photophobia and evident confusion among the victims.

The viral meningitis

These types of meningitis are caused by entroviruses, mumps, herpesvirus, arboviruses and lymphatic choriomeningitis virus. Children below the age of five years are the most vulnerable to these types of meningitis. In most occasions, it’s due to a weak immune system which can be caused by a variety of factors which may include certain medical procedures. It can be transmitted through faecal contamination or through some respiratory secretions such as the saliva. It’s normally accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and photophobia and evident confusion among the victims.

The parasitic meningitis

Parasitic meningitis are very rare types of meningitis but when one fall a victim then they may suffer from permanent brain damage as its very fatal. Its main cause is Naegleria fowleri which enter the body via the nose after which if moves to the brain where it damages various brain tissues. Swimming in fresh water already exposed to Naegleria fowleri is always a sure way of getting these types of meningitis.

The fungal meningitis

This is a very rare type of meningitis which is caused by Cryptococcus. Most victims are adults from Africa. It is only evident after the fungus has spread in one’s blood stream. Those who are very much vulnerable to these types of meningitis are the HIV and cancer patient among other people who have very weak immune system. Patients suffering from these types of meningitis will have the same symptoms as those suffering from bacterial meningitis.

The non-infectious meningitis

There are very many factors which contribute to the existence of these types of meningitis. These may include systematic lupus erythematosus, some drugs, brain surgery or head injury.

Since this condition only occurs in a single individual, they cannot be transmitted from one person to the other. Its symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and photophobia and evident confusion among the victims.