Name and explain three types of Meningitis. 

1 name the causative agent,

2 common symptoms and

3 the treatment

 

The 3 main types of meningitis are, bacterial,viral and fungal meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis

• Causative agents

1. Streptococcus pneumoniae
2. Group B Streptococcus
3. Neisseria meningitidis
4. Haemophilus influenzae
5. Listeria monocytogenes

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting
6. Photophobia
7. Altered mental status

• Treatment

1. Intravenous antibiotics
2. Corticosteroids

Viral meningitis

• Causative agents

1. Mumps virus
2. Herpesviruses
3. Measles virus
4. Influenza virus
5. West Nile virus
6. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Photophobia
5. Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
6. Nausea
7. Irritability
8. Vomiting
9. Lack of appetite
10. Lethargy

• Treatment

1. Antiviral drugs

Fungal meningitis

• Causative agents

1. Cryptococcus
2. Histoplasma
3. Blastomyces
4. Coccidioides
5.  Candida

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Photophobia
6. Altered mental status

• Treatment

1. Intravenous and oral antifungal drugs

Step-by-step explanation

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes(meninges) surrounding the brain or the spinal cord.

The 3 main types of meningitis are, bacterial,viral and fungal meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis- meningitis caused by bacteria. The 2nd most common type of meningitis and often contagious and deadly thus requiring immediate medical attention.

• Causative agents

1. Streptococcus pneumoniae
2. Group B Streptococcus
3. Neisseria meningitidis
4. Haemophilus influenzae
5. Listeria monocytogenes

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting
6. Photophobia
7. Altered mental status

• Treatment

1. Intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, vancomycin chloramphenicol and ampicillin
2. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone.

Viral meningitis- meningitis caused by virus. Most common type of meningitis and less severe than bacterial meningitis.

• Causative agents

1. Mumps virus
2. Herpesviruses
3. Measles virus
4. Influenza virus
5. West Nile virus
6. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Photophobia
5. Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
6. Nausea
7. Irritability
8. Vomiting
9. Lack of appetite
10. Lethargy (a lack of energy)

• Treatment

1. Antiviral drugs such as aciclovir.

Fungal meningitis-meningitis caused by fungi and a rare type of infection.

• Causative agents

1. Cryptococcus
2. Histoplasma
3. Blastomyces
4. Coccidioides
5.  Candida

• Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Stiff neck
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Photophobia
6. Altered mental status

• Treatment

1. Intravenous and oral antifungal drugs such amphotericin b and flucytosine.