- The meninges consist of three layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord. They are responsible for protection of the central nervous system and for delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Meningitis, inflammation of the meninges, occurs when viruses and bacteria infect the meninges. Symptoms of meningitis include headaches, stiff neck, high fever and malaise. Left untreated, meningitis can be fatal and it may lead to brain damage such as blindness, deafness or sensory deficiencies in some individuals.
- Haemphilus influenzae (H. flu) is a tiny Gram negative rod that is found in the respiratory tract of over half of the population. Of the seven serogroups of the bacteria that are known, serogroup B (Hib) is known to cause meningitis. It affects mostly children under the age of five and is transmitted by droplets from the respiratory tract through sneezing or coughing. Because of the widespread use of a vaccine in the U.S., only about one case per 100,000 population is reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Interestingly, H. flu was once believed to be the cause of influenza before the influenza virus was first identified.
- Antibiotics are chemical compounds that inhibit bacterial growth through different mechanisms. Some antibiotics prevent bacteria from creating new cell walls. Other antibiotics prevent bacteria from producing proteins essential for their function. For the treatment of H. flu meningitis, ampicillin (a type of penicillin) is used. Ampicillin works by preventing the cell walls from forming. However, some H. flu bacteria are resistant to these antibiotics. For those resistant cases, chloramphenicol, which prevents protein production, and cephalosporins like ceftriaxone, which work like ampicillin, are also used. The health care provider will choose the best antibiotic based on the microbiology report of the bacteria.
- Other signs and symptoms of meningitis are treated as needed. For example, the provider may prescribe analgesics for headaches and neck pain. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be given to reduce fever and the inflammation of the meninges. In severe cases, patients may be placed in a drug-induced coma until the meningitis subsides. With proper care and early antibiotic administration, over 90 percent of H. flu meningitis cases recover, according to the CDC.
- A vaccine against Hib has been widely available in the U.S. since 1987. Because of the vaccine, the incidence of the disease has been greatly reduced. It is recommended that children be vaccinated at two months of age and then again, for a booster, at 12 to 15 months of age. The vaccine is not recommended for children over the age of five since Hib rarely affects anyone older than five. Health care providers will determine if the vaccine is needed on a case-by-case basis.
