What happens if meningitis is untreated

Learn more. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes meninges that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain.

This can cause life-threatening problems. Meningitis symptoms strike suddenly and worsen quickly. Bacteria or a virus can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis is more common, but bacterial meningitis is more serious. It can lead to brain damage, paralysis, or stroke. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis. Vaccines are available that target many of these bacteria. For this reason, it's important to know what's causing meningitis. Even though all types affect the same area of the body, they can have different outcomes and need different treatments. Experts don't always know why meningitis happens. Some people get it when their immune system is weak or they've recently been sick. A head injury may also increase risk. Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants under 1 year of age and people ages 16 to College students living in dorms or other close quarters are at increased risk.

Also at risk are adults with certain medical problems, including those without a spleen. Symptoms typically come on quickly, in as little as a couple of hours or up to a day or two. But it can spread easily among those living in close quarters, so teens, college students, and boarding-school students are at higher risk for infection. If dealt with quickly, meningitis can be treated successfully.

So it's important to get routine vaccinations, know the signs of meningitis, and get medical care right away if you think that your child has the illness. Most cases are caused by bacteria or viruses , but some can be due to certain medicines or illnesses. Many of the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are fairly common and cause other routine illnesses. Both kinds of meningitis spread like most other common infections do — someone who's infected touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who isn't infected.

Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and can be life-threatening if not treated right away. In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria spread to the meninges from a severe head trauma or a severe local infection, such as a serious ear infection otitis media or nasal sinus infection sinusitis.

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. In newborns, the most common causes are group B strep , E. In older kids, Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumococcus and Neisseria meningitidis meningococcus are often the causes.

Viral meningitis also called aseptic meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and usually less serious. Many of the viruses that cause meningitis are common, such as those that cause colds , diarrhea , cold sores , and the flu. Meningitis symptoms vary, depending on the person's age and the cause of the infection.

The first symptoms can come on quickly or start several days after someone has had a cold, diarrhea, vomiting, or other signs of an infection. Infants with meningitis might have different symptoms. Babies might be cranky, feed poorly, and be sleepy or hard to wake up. It may be hard to comfort them, even when they're picked up and rocked. They also may have a fever or bulging fontanelle soft spot on head.

Bacterial meningitis can be very serious. So if you see symptoms or think that your child could have meningitis, it's important to see the doctor right away. If meningitis is suspected, the doctor will order tests, probably including a lumbar puncture spinal tap to collect a sample of spinal fluid. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis. Viruses that can cause meningitis spread in different ways.

Initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is usually severe and can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. The pathogens germs that cause bacterial meningitis can also be associated with another serious illness, sepsis. Without timely treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

See a doctor right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis. A doctor can determine if you have the disease, what is causing it, and the best treatment. Doctors diagnose meningitis by ordering specific lab tests on specimens from a person suspected of having meningitis. If a doctor suspects meningitis, he or she may collect samples for testing by.

In most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Most people who get mild viral meningitis usually recover completely in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Antiviral medicine may help people with meningitis caused by viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza.

Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis. However, antibiotics do fight bacteria, so they are very important when treating bacterial meningitis.