Question: What is Bacterial Meningitis?
Although a stiff neck is one of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis, this potentially lethal infection can be much greater than a pain in the neck.
Answer: Bacterial meningitis is a form of meningitis caused by bacteria that normally lives in the mouth and throat. When the immune system is unable to supress this bacteria, it travels to the cerebrospinal spinal fluid in the brain. From there it affects the membranes surrounding the brain.
Unlike viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis can be lethal or can leave very scarring after-effects (such as hearing loss).
There are 3 different types of bacteria that can result in meningitis. It can be extremely useful to know which type has infected, because then the appropriate antibiotic can be administered. Beginning treatment early and using the correct antibiotic decreases the possibility of death from bacterial meningitis to around 15%.
There are vaccines for meningitis.
Bibliography
Center for Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Disease. Meningococcal Disease. Retrieved May 5, 2005, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
