Meningitis

Meningitis is caused by infection of the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord called the meninges.   There are two main types of meningitis- Bacterial Meningitis and Viral Meningitis, although drugs, protozoa and fungi can cause the inflammation. 

The meninges of the Central Nervous System are the Dura mater, Arachnoid and Pia mater.

Bacterial Meningitis can be fatal if not discovered early and treated quickly.    The signs and symptoms page on the website can help you recognise features of meningitis.

 Meninges of the CNS 

Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meninges under the terms of the GNU-Free Documentation License.

 Facts and Figures

Meningitis occurs in all countries around the world,  with 3 people in 100, 000 peope contracting Viral Meningitis in 2007 in western countries, and 10.9 in 100, 000 being infected with Bacterial Meningitis.   In Brazil, 45.8 in 100, 000 were infected with Bacterial Meningitis in 2007, and in the Meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa 500 people in 100,000 were infected with Bacterial Meningitis in 2007.

♦ "Meningitis belt"
♦ epidemic zones
♦ sporadic cases
 

Map of Meningitis in the world

Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meningite.png under the terms of the GNU-Free Documentation License.

Meningitis can occur at any age.   Although 80% of Bacterial meningitis occurs under 16 years with the majority of these cases being in children under 5 years old.

In 2007 there were 2000 cases of bacterial meningitis in England and Wales, and one in ten of these cases were fatal.  This is a figure that has dropped significantly since the introduction of meningitis vaccinations.

In 2007 there were 3000 cases of viral meningitis in England and Wales, but the real figure may be higher as viral meningitis can be mistaken for the flu, or another virus.

The number of cases of Meningitis peaks in the winter and is at its low in the summer.

Over 500, 000 people in the UK have had meningitis.

Banner image courtesy of  commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Brain under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.