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| Meningitis is an infection of the three membranes
(called meninges) covering the brain and the spinal column. For the notifiable
disease category "Meningitis, Other Bacteria", meningitis is caused
by bacteria such as Staphylococci, Group B streptococci
and enteric bacteria. The definition excludes pneumococcal meningitis (Streptococcus
pneumoniae), meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis),
Haemophilus influenzae type B infection (Hib) and listeriosis (Listeria
monocytogenes). Newborns (whose immune systems are not fully developed)
and elderly people, whose immune systems do not fight infections as well
as they did, are vulnerable to infection. People with head injury are also
susceptible to infection. |
MENINGITIS, OTHER BACTERIAL
AGENT OF DISEASE
This category includes meningitis due to less common bacterial causes such
as Staphylococci, group B streptococci and enteric bacteria.
The definition excludes cases of meningitis due to pneumococcal meningitis
(Streptococcus pneumoniae), meningococcal disease (Neisseria
meningitidis), Haemophilus influenzae type B infection (Hib)
and listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes).
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION
Occurrence is worldwide.
SYMPTOMS
Infants with neonatal meningitis develop symptoms within the first week
of life, which include lethargy, seizures, poor feeding and breathing difficulties.
The cerebral spinal fluid will grow group B streptococci,
E.coli K-1 or other organisms acquired from the birth canal or from
the mother before the baby was born. Infants 2 weeks to 2 months of age develop
meningitis with similar symptoms; the cerebrospinal fluid will grow Group
B streptococci or the enteric bacteria of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia
group acquired from the nursery environment. Approximately 10% to30% of pregnant
women have group B streptococci in their vagina, and approximately
1% of infants will develop symptomatic infection.
Symptoms in adults include sudden onset of fever, intense headache, nausea,
vomiting and a stiff neck.
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY
A person can pass the infection to others for as long as the bacteria are
present in discharges from the nose and mouth. A person is no longer infectious
within 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED
Meningitis is transmitted by direct contact, including respiratory droplets
from the nose and throat of infected people.
PREVENTION/CONTROL
- Person-to-person contact should be minimized by reducing situations of
over-crowding and by increasing ventilation.
- Cases of infection should be actively monitored in populations at increased
risk, such as those in nurseries, nursing homes and institutions for the
chronically ill.
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