Meningitis, sometimes called spinal meningitis, is the inflammation of the protective layer (3 membranes called meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord due to an infection. 

The meninges protect the brain and spinal cord from injuries and provide support and structure; they consist of cerebrospinal fluid, blood vessels and nerves. Meningitis can be caused by a viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection. It requires emergency treatment, and lack of treatment can lead to death. 

Causes

There are different types of meningitis named according to their various causes; the condition can be caused by infections and also some non-infectious causes. So here are the types and causes of meningitis. 

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial infections cause bacterial meningitis; it is highly infectious and fatal if not treated promptly. Some of the common bacteria are listed below:

• Neisseria meningitis.
• Streptococcus pneumonia.
• E. coli.
• Haemophilus influenzae.
• Group B Streptococcus.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Listeria monocytogenes.

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is also prevalent. They are caused by viruses, and some of them are listed here:

• Mumps. 
• Non-polio enteroviruses.
• Influenza.
• Herpesviruses such as chickenpox, mononucleosis, and shingles.
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
• Measles.
• Arboviruses, such as West Nile virus.

Parasitic Meningitis

This type is caused by parasitic infections; they are not passed from person to person; instead, they are hidden in food and animals, so when you eat things like poultry products, milk, snails, fish, red meat, etc. You can get a parasitic infection, including:

• Baylisascaris procyoni.
• Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
• Gnathostoma spinigerum.

Fungal Meningitis

Fungal meningitis is rare. It is caused by fungal infections that infect your body and spread through your bloodstream to the spinal cord and brain, causing meningitis. The most common one is coccidioides infection. 

Amebic Meningitis 

Naegleria fowleri causes amebic meningitis. 

Non-infectious Meningitis 

Aside from infections, some other occurrences can lead to meningitis, including: 

• Head injuries. 
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
• Brain surgery.
• Autoimmune disorder. 
• Certain medications, like NSAIDs and antibiotics. 

Symptoms of Meningitis

The symptoms of meningitis may depend on the type of meningitis you have, but these are some of the mild and common symptoms you will notice: 

• Vomiting. 
• Diarrhoea. 
• Rash.
• Respiratory symptoms. 
• Stiff neck. 
• Fever. 
• Headache. 
• Sleepiness. 
• Lethargy. 
• Decreased appetite. 
• Irritability. 
• Altered mental status.
• Sensitivity to light. 

Infants may exhibit symptoms like constant crying, trouble waking from sleep, high fever, a bulge in the soft spot on the baby’s head, not waking up to eat and being inactive or sluggish. 

Treatment 

Viral meningitis will go away on its own, but you may need bed rest, plenty of fluids and medications to ease pain and fever. 

For bacteria, parasitic and fungal meningitis, you will need antibiotics and antiparasitic or antifungal medications, respectively.