DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Infectious Disease

Bacterial Meningitis

HIGH SEVERITY

A life-threatening infection of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) caused by bacteria. Medical emergency requiring immediate antibiotic treatment. Can cause brain damage, hearing loss, and death. Vaccines available for some types.

Global Affected

1.2M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Sudden high fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Photophobia
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion
Altered mental status
Seizures
Sleepiness/difficulty waking
Rash (meningococcal)
Purpura fulminans

Treatment Options

Empiric antibiotics (ceftriaxone + vancomycin)
Dexamethasone
Acyclovir (if HSV suspected)
Supportive care
ICU admission
Seizure management
Intracranial pressure management

Risk Factors

1Age (infants, young adults, elderly)
2Immunodeficiency
3Asplenia
4Complement deficiency
5Crowded living conditions
6College dormitories
7Military barracks
8Recent head trauma/surgery
9Cochlear implants

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Lumbar puncture (CSF analysis)
  • 2Blood cultures
  • 3Head CT before LP (if indicated)
  • 4CSF Gram stain and culture
  • 5CSF PCR (FilmArray)
  • 6Complete blood count
  • 7Procalcitonin

Prognosis

Untreated: mortality near 100%. Treated: 10-15% mortality even with treatment. 10-20% have permanent sequelae (hearing loss, cognitive impairment, seizures, hydrocephalus). Prognosis worse with pneumococcal than meningococcal.

Prevention

  • Vaccination (Hib, PCV, MenACWY, MenB)
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts
  • Respiratory etiquette
  • Avoid sharing personal items
  • Prophylaxis for high-risk groups

Research Status

Dexamethasone before or with antibiotics reduces hearing loss and neurologic sequelae. Third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, cefotaxime) plus vancomycin empiric therapy. Vaccines (MenACWY, MenB, Hib, PCV) dramatically reduced incidence. Rapid molecular diagnostics.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.idsociety.org
  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.