Aging adults at risk for meningitis too

Meningitis is inflammation surrounding protective membranes of the spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening, especially in aging adults. There are five types of meningitis, including bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic and non-infectious.

The severity of meningitis can differ and is based on the cause; some can be non-threatening, others can be deadly. Vaccines to ward off bacterial meningitis are administered to children. The vaccine protects against Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus.

Meningitis can be caused through parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses and by cancers or medications. Knowing the cause can lead to effective treatment and decrease the risk of complications associated with meningitis.

Who is at risk of meningitis?

Meningitis can affect anyone that doesn’t have the vaccine, but there are certain factors which increase a person’s risk of developing meningitis. People at higher risk for meningitis are:

Aging adults over 60
Children under the age of five
People with alcoholism
People with sickle cell anemia
People with cancer – in particular receiving chemotherapy
People with a suppressed immune system or who are taking drugs to suppress their immune system
People with diabetes
People who have been exposed to meningitis
People who live in close quarters with each other – dorms, military barracks
IV users
People who receive epidural steroid injections

Bacterial meningitis in aging adults

Bacterial meningitis in aging adults is due to three causes: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitides, and Listeria monocytogenes. Age can increase a person’s risk of developing meningitis because with age comes a weaker immune system. Community settings as well can increase an aging adult’s risk of meningitis because bacteria can spread much quicker.

With aging also comes a slew of other medical conditions which can also increase the risk of meningitis. Surgical procedures, along with medications, can put aging adults at higher risk of contracting meningitis.

Lastly, traveling can increase a person’s risk of catching certain meningitis by putting them in contact with a parasite that is more prevalent in other countries than the person’s home country.

Transmission of meningitis in aging adults is caused by catching a contagious bacteria. Many strains of meningitis are not contagious from person to person and cannot be spread through simple contact. Most meningitis is transmitted through the exchange of fluids – for example saliva through kissing. Other types of meningitis can be contracted by eating contaminated food.

Some forms of meningitis can be prevented with the use of antibiotics, while other forms do not require antibiotics. Antibiotics are most effective if meningitis is diagnosed early. Early treatment can reduce the risk of death to below 15 percent. Unfortunately, the risk of death by meningitis is higher among young children and aging adults.

Meningococcal meningitis, the most common form of bacterial meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is the most common form of bacterial meningitis. It is a serious infection which affects the protective membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain. If untreated, meningococcal meningitis can lead to brain damage and is fatal in 50 percent of cases.

Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted through throat and respiratory secretions exchanged person-to-person. Kissing, coughing and sneezing can spread meningococcal meningitis.

Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are stiff neck, high fever, light sensitivity, confusion, headache and vomiting. Even with early treatment five to 10 percent of those with meningococcal meningitis die.

Meningococcal meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability.

Viral meningitis in aging adults

Because aging adults have a weakened immune system they, too, are at high risk of contracting viral meningitis. Causes of viral meningitis include non-polio enterovirus, mumps virus, herpes virus, measles virus, influenza virus, arboviruses like West Nile and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Many with viral meningitis can recover on their own within 10 days. Some cases, which are caused by herpes or influenza, may improve with the help of antiviral medications. Antibiotics cannot be used for the treatment of viral meningitis.

Many causes of viral meningitis do have vaccines, so to lower your risk of developing viral meningitis ensure you are up-to-date with your vaccines. Causes like non-polio enterovirus do not have a vaccine, so prevention involves ensuring you wash your hands properly, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid those who are sick, cover your coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay home when you are sick.

Other variants of meningitis

Fungal meningitis: Caused by a fungus and attacks those with weakened immune systems. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted person-to-person but results from a fungus spreading into the bloodstream. Fungal meningitis can occur in those who take medications to suppress their immune system. The fungus, Cryptococcus, can be picked up from contaminated soil. Other fungi can be picked up in areas with heavy bird or bat droppings and in decaying organic material.

Parasitic meningitis: Parasitic meningitis can result in a brain infection and can be fatal. A parasite enters the body through the nose. Naegleria fowleri, the parasite, is commonly found around the world but most often in bodies of freshwater, natural hot springs, warm water, discharge from industrial plants, unkempt swimming pools, water heaters and soil. Medication can be used to effectively treat parasitic meningitis.

Non-infectious meningitis: Causes of non-infectious meningitis include cancer, lupus, certain drugs, head injury and brain surgery. This type of meningitis cannot be transmitted person-to-person and does not result from a bacteria, virus, fungi or parasite.

Meningitis and septicemia

Septicemia is a type of blood poisoning which can be caused by meningitis. If the bacteria or the toxin which caused the meningitis enters the blood stream, it can result in septicemia. Septicemia is a serious condition which can be fatal.

Symptoms of septicemia include:

Fever
Drowsiness
Confusion
Fast breathing
Shivering or cold hands and feet
Aching limbs and joints
Rash

Meningitis symptoms in adults

In the early stages, symptoms of meningitis are very similar to the flu. For this reason it can be misdiagnosed. Typical symptoms of meningitis include:

Sudden high fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Vomiting or nausea with headache
Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Seizures
Light sensitivity
Difficulties with sleep
Lack of interest in food or drink
Skin rash
Severe muscle pain

In order to receive treatment early on you should see a doctor if you have a fever, stiff neck, confusion or vomiting.

Recovering from meningitis and prevention tips

Each person is different, but typical recovery time from meningitis is three weeks. Complications can arise, though, which can prolong recovery. Complications associated with meningitis include:

Learning difficulties, memory loss, coordination problems, paralysis of body parts
Loss of sight or vision problems
Deafness or hearing problems
Skin scarring – if septicemia develops
Liver of kidney damage

Prevention tips for meningitis are:

Always wash your hands
Practice good hygiene
Stay healthy – eat well, avoid illness, exercise
Cover your mouth when coughing and cover your nose when sneezing