Login | April 30, 2025
Bacterial meningitis
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: February 6, 2023
The untimely death several weeks ago of guitar legend Jeff Beck was certainly a shocker, and it showed me once again that any of us can be swiftly and easily grounded by some of the most obscure and seemly innocuous illnesses. Indeed, Beck’s death from bacterial meningitis not only got me curious about this malady, but the incident also prompted me to try to gain a better understanding of meningeal (three membranes that line the skull and vertebral canal and enclose the brain and spinal cord) infections, specifically how they’re spread, their symptoms and the preventative measures necessary to avoid them. So I did a little research…and this is what I found.
Our Cleveland Clinic defines meningitis as, “An infection of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. Meningitis can be acute, with a quick onset of symptoms, it can be chronic, lasting a month or more, or it can be mild or aseptic. Anyone experiencing symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor immediately.”
So obviously there’s several forms of meningitis, and the bacterial form that Beck passed from is considered the most dangerous of the three, accounting for approximately 80 percent of all meningitis cases. What’s more, the crazy thing about this form is that it can be picked up from improperly cooked foods and/or from other infected people via sneezing or coughing. Heck it’s not uncommon for bacterial meningitis outbreaks to occur in dwelling scenarios where individuals are in close contact with one another, like in college dorms and military barracks.
Thus, one of the more unsettling components of bacterial meningitis is its relative ease of transmissibility. And that’s because the bacteria which is most often responsible for the illness is commonly found in the nose and respiratory system…where it’s typically benign. Yet, sometimes, right out of nowhere, a bacterial meningitis infection can occur.
And still another unsettling component of bacterial meningitis is the fact that it can gradually develop into a life threatening malady, causing the infected brain tissues to swell, thereby impeding blood flow and possibly leading to paralysis, stroke, or even death.
So who’s susceptible to bacterial meningitis? Small children between the ages of a month and two years appear to be the most vulnerable. Vulnerable adults include: Those who are subject to chronic ear and nose infections, alcohol abusers, individuals who’ve sustained head injuries, pneumococcal pneumonia patients, those with weakened immune systems, people who’ve undergone brain or spinal surgery, and folks who’ve had serious blood infections.
Several of the displaying symptoms of bacterial meningitis include headache, high fever, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, back pain, flu-like symptoms, rash anywhere on the body, nausea or vomiting, light sensitivity, even the curious symptom of not being able to lower your chin to the chest - this because of neck stiffness. Two of the more insidious symptoms are seizure and stroke.
Some of these meningitis symptoms can occur suddenly and then progress to the serious illness stage in just a few hours. This’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs of this disease so you can seek professional assistance asap. Immediate action via medical professionals can save your life.
A medical professional would dig deeper by looking closely at the aforementioned symptoms in addition to using potential draws of spinal fluid, and/or blood and urine to further confirm a meningitis diagnosis.
Once a positive diagnosis of bacterial meningitis has been made an antibiotic specific to that bacteria is typically prescribed. Sometimes an intravenous antibiotic is used in conjunction with a corticosteroid to help bring down the brain inflammation. What’s more, patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in order to replace those lost through sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
As I said, Beck’s passing was a humbling reminder that we’re all susceptible to out-of-the-ordinary illnesses like meningitis. And whether or not you’re at a greater or lesser risk for this malady, you’ve still got to accept the fact that it can affect anyone at any time. So recognize the signs and symptoms of meningitis…and never hesitate to seek medical assistance.