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Is Meningitis Contagious? - USA TODAY

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5-Year-Old Girl Dies After Meningitis Was Mistaken For Tonsillitis: Expert Shares Key Differences

A five-year-old girl from Manchester, UK, was discharged after being diagnosed with viral tonsillitis. But just hours later, the young girl was found dead.

The tragic death of Lila Marsland, who was sent home from hospital with suspected tonsillitis only to die hours later from meningitis, was contributed to by neglect, an inquest jury has found. Lila had been examined by multiple healthcare professionals over several hours at Tameside Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne on December 27, 2023. Despite showing clear warning signs of meningitis, no treatment was started, treatment that, as the inquest heard, could potentially have saved her life.

This heartbreaking incident highlights how easily meningitis can be mistaken for more common illnesses like tonsillitis, especially in children. The OnlyMyHealth team reached out to an expert to understand the difference between the two conditions and when to seek urgent medical help.

Also Read: Tonsillitis Is Common In Winter: Herbal Gargles For Chronic Tonsillitis Management

What Is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which are two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat. It is commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections, and can result in symptoms like sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and swollen tonsils.

Tonsillitis, especially when caused by bacterial or viral infections, can be contagious and spread from person to person.

According to StatPearls Publishing, tonsillitis is a common disease that makes up approximately 1.3% of outpatient visits.

What Is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation is often caused by an infection, either bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic.

Bacterial meningitis is the most serious type of meningitis. Four main causes of acute bacterial meningitis are:

Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

Haemophilus influenzae

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus)

The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to meningitis as a major global public health challenge, the risk of which can be reduced by vaccines. As per the global health body, newborn babies are most at risk from Group B streptococcus, whereas children and adolescents are at most risk of meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae. Pneumococcus and meningococcus also account for most cases of bacterial meningitis among adults.

Key Differences Between Meningitis And Tonsillitis

According to Dr Girish Anand M S, Consultant - ENT Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, tonsillitis and meningitis may sound similar, but they're very different in symptoms and seriousness. "Tonsillitis usually causes a sore throat, swollen tonsils, fever, and difficulty swallowing. It's often caused by viral or bacterial infection. Meningitis, on the other hand, is a medical emergency. It inflames the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, leading to severe headache, neck stiffness, high fever, sensitivity to light, and sometimes confusion or seizures."

"While tonsillitis can make you feel miserable, meningitis requires urgent medical care to prevent serious complications or even death. Always trust your body's signals," he adds.

It is important to rely on various symptoms, physical exams, and tests to tell the difference between common infections like tonsillitis and serious ones like meningitis. Dr Anand says that while both may cause fever and throat discomfort, signs like a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, or sensitivity to light often point to meningitis.

He advises that if meningitis is suspected, doctors may order a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to test the spinal fluid. Tonsillitis, on the other hand, is usually diagnosed by examining the throat and running a rapid strep test or throat culture. It's also important to note that in children, if acute tonsillitis is left untreated, it can rarely lead to the spread of infection to the brain, causing acute meningitis.

Also Read: Haemophilus Influenzae (Hib) Infection Kills 8-Year-Old Indiana Boy, Likely Contracted from an Unvaccinated Child

Early Signs Of Meningitis Parents Should Not Ignore

Meningitis can come on suddenly, and for parents, recognising early warning signs is crucial. Some of the key warning signs include:

High fever

Severe headache

Neck stiffness

Unusual drowsiness

Irritability

Confusion

Sensitivity to light

Vomiting

Cold hands and feet

Pale or blotchy skin

A rash that doesn't fade with pressure

Additionally, in babies, look for a soft bulging spot on the head or a weak cry, shares Dr Anand, advising parents to trust their instincts if something feels off. Meningitis can progress quickly, and early medical attention can make all the difference.

Conclusion

When it comes to medical emergencies like meningitis, timing is everything, especially when it concerns children. If your child isn't improving or starts showing unusual symptoms, don't wait to act. Trust your instincts, even if you've already consulted a doctor. What may seem like a common illness could be something far more serious, like meningitis. It's also essential to stay informed and avoid misinformation. While some symptoms can overlap with less serious conditions, persistent or worsening signs after treatment should never be ignored. Prompt medical attention can make all the difference.

This Type Of Meningitis Is Fast And Deadly. Here's What To Know. - Yahoo

When it comes to bacterial infections, bacterial meningitis may not be the most common one, but it is certainly among the most serious.

"The most worrisome part of bacterial meningitis is the lethality of the disease and the rapidity of its onset," explains Dr. Jatin Vyas, a professor of medicine in the infectious disease division at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. "Patients can go from being well to very sick within hours."

Here's what bacterial meningitis is, how it's different from viral and other types of meningitis, and what treatment can be expected if you or a loved one is diagnosed with it.

What is meningitis? What are symptoms?

Meningitis is an infection that causes the thin layers of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed, explains Dr. Rodrigo Hasbun, an infectious diseases professor at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School.

He says there are several types of meningitis that include bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic and ones caused by non-infectious factors. Viral meningitis is the more common and less serious form of the disease, Hasbun explains, while bacterial meningitis "accounts for the minority of meningitis cases but can be associated with severe neurological complications and even death."

Indeed, bacterial meningitis "has a fatality rate of about one in six and causes long-term complications in one in five survivors," says Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco. Such long-term complications include hearing loss, vision problems, learning difficulties or limb amputations due to sepsis. "Early recognition and treatment are critical to preventing these outcomes," he says.

Common symptoms of viral meningitis include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and confusion, says Nagata. "In severe cases, it may cause seizures, coma or a purple rash." Infants may show different signs such as poor feeding, irritability, bulging of the soft spot on their head or lethargy.

Noted: There are more than 300 headache causes. These are the most common ones.

What causes meningitis?

Common causes of viral meningitis include enteroviruses, herpes viruses, the West Nile virus, mumps and influenza viruses.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae, explains Nagata.

Vyas says a look at one's family history and a physical examination that includes an evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid obtained via spinal tap is required to know whether one is dealing with viral or bacterial meningitis.

Fungi like Cryptococcus and parasites or amoebas can cause fungal meningitis or parasitic meningitis. Non-infectious causes of meningitis include head injuries, adverse reactions to certain medications, cancer or autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, says Dr. John Sellick, a professor of medicine in the infectious diseases division at the University at Buffalo.

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How is meningitis treated?

Meningitis treatment varies widely depending on its cause. Bacterial meningitis, for instance, "requires immediate intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, while viral meningitis usually resolves on its own with rest, fluids and pain relievers," says Nagata. He says that antivirals may also be used against specific viruses like herpes while fungal meningitis is treated with antifungal medications. "Non-infectious meningitis is managed by addressing the underlying condition, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer," he adds.

And while bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening, "early treatment improves outcomes," says Nagata. "The best treatments start with a prompt diagnosis of what is causing the disease," echoes Vyas.

Prevention through vaccination is also important. You can get vaccinated against the viruses that can lead to meningitis and get the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis. This vaccine, says Sellick, "has very high efficacy in preventing infection."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is meningitis?

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