What is pneumococcal meningitis?
Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (also called pneumococcus, or S pneumoniae). This type of bacteria is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. It is the second most common cause of meningitis in children older than age 2.
What are the characteristic symptoms of meningitis?
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- a high temperature (fever)
- being sick.
- a headache.
- a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
- a stiff neck.
- a dislike of bright lights.
- drowsiness or unresponsiveness.
- seizures (fits)
What are the 3 types of meningitis?
Types of meningitis
- Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis.
- Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria.
- Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis.
- Parasitic meningitis.
- Non-infectious meningitis.
What are the 5 types of meningitis?
There are actually five types of meningitis — bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and non-infectious — each classified by the cause of the disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia, a lung infection, include:
- Fever and chills.
- Cough.
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain.
How do you know if you have pneumococcal pneumonia?
Symptoms. Pneumococcal pneumonia can come on quickly. Some of its symptoms appear suddenly and may include chest pain and difficulty breathing, a high fever, shaking chills, excessive sweating, fatigue, and a cough with phlegm that persists or gets worse.
When should you suspect meningitis?
Seek immediate medical care if you or someone in your family has meningitis signs or symptoms, such as: Fever. Severe, unrelenting headache. Confusion.
How long can you have meningitis without knowing?
The first symptoms of viral meningitis typically appear between 3 to 7 days after being exposed to the infection. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis appear and progress quickly – bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis, and the infection progresses the fastest.
Can one recover from meningitis?
Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
How do adults get meningitis?
Common bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush or a cigarette.
Does meningitis go away by itself?
Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis. Most people get better on their own without treatment. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious.
Who is most at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia?
Adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. Adults of all ages are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease if they have: Sickle cell disease, no spleen, HIV infection, cancer, or another condition that weakens the immune system.