Causes for Meningitis

Jennifer Kirkman
A variety of things can cause someone to have meningitis. In the case of bacterial meningitis, there are certain germs that will bring on the infection inside the brain.

An upper respiratory infection can sometimes lead into what is known as meningococcal meningitis. This is the type of meningitis which is super contagious, and when one person gets it, chances are that others in contact with them could easily come down with the bacterium too.

Streptococcus pneumoniae can also cause a person to have meningitis. This is another reason why strep can prove to be very dangerous. Small babies can easily be affected by this type of meningitis most commonly. It is often the result of an ear infection. The term pneumoniae come after streptococcus since pneumonia may also come along with this form of meningitis. This type of meningitis also seems to strike people in college dormitory settings.

A listeria type of infection which is received through contaminated foods are also another possible cause for meningitis. The foods which are mostly carriers of listeria infection are meats, and some dairy products such as cheese. Listeria can often be in a person's system, and if their immune system is strong enough, they can fight it. If not, when listeria becomes advanced due to a weakened immune system, meningitis is one of the dangers it poses.

Viral meningitis types have other different causes for the occurrence. Viral meningitis is the type which covers most of the cases diagnosed each year. This meningitis type brings on terrible headaches, and feelings of unwellness. What causes viral meningitis are things like possibly West Nile Virus, illnesses that are connected with certain types of infections such as herpes, for example.

Some people get what is known as chronic meningitis, which is quite uncommon. This type of meningitis goes on for the longer term. In this type of meningitis, there are organisms that travel to the membranes in your brain and get into the fluid in the brain.

Staph infections such as MRSA for instance, are so dangerous because that can cause what is known as Staphylococcal Meningitis, which is not very common, but is extremely deadly.

People that have very low immunity such as those that have HIV/AIDS, etc., sometimes also have a tendency to pick up what is known as Fungal Meningitis. This form of meningitis in that category of people can be very deadly if they are not treated aggressively with anti fungal medications.

Published by Jennifer Kirkman

I am a former piano teacher of 25 years until I became burned out and had an ebay career along with other web pursuits. I was born and raised in Florida where I have lived my entire life.  View profile

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