Meningitis; pneumococcal

Alternative names:

pneumococcal meningitis

Definition:

An inflammation or infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by the pneumococcus bacterium.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of meningitis in adults, and the second most common cause of meningitis in children older than 6. The onset of symptoms is usually rapid. Risk factors include recurrent meningitis, meningitis associated with CSF leak, NIDDM, injury or trauma to the head, alcohol use, recent pneumonia, recent upper respiratory infection, infective endocarditis, or recent ear infection. The incidence is 2 out of 1,000,000 people.