Medically reviewed by Ika Villanueva Caperonce, MD · Infectious Disease · Makati Medical Center
Tuberculosis (TB) meningitis or TBM is a severe form of tuberculosis. This occurs when the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which normally infects the lungs, and spreads to the lymph nodes and the bloodstream. The bacteria then travel to the meninges, or the protective layers that cover the brain, and eventually infect the brain tissues. If not treated immediately, the infection can cause a rise in the pressure inside the skull. This may result in nerve and brain tissue damage.
TB Meningitis is more prevalent in children than in adults. People who are infected with tuberculosis and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are prone to suffering from TB meningitis. People who have a weak immune system are also prone to developing this disease.
TB meningitis progresses in three stages, as developed by the British Medical Council. Symptoms become more complicated as the disease gradually infects the body. As a person progresses through the three TB meningitis stages, the likelihood of permanent brain damage and death increases.
At this stage, a person infected with TB meningitis will manifest symptoms that can be associated with a lot of different diseases. A person can start with one of these symptoms and eventually manifest more as the disease progresses. Symptoms for stage 1 TB meningitis include:
At this stage, the patient will start to display signs and symptoms of dysfunction in the central nervous system (brain and the spinal cord).
At this stage, TB meningitis has caused severe inflammation in the brain. Complications such as hydrocephalus or build-up of fluid in the brain and cerebral vasculitis or inflammation in the blood vessel walls of the brain are likely to occur.
As a person goes through TB meningitis stages, the chances of surviving becomes slimmer and slimmer. This is why TB meningitis needs to be diagnosed as early as possible.
Treatment for TB meningitis can take a year or longer depending on different factors such as severity, co-infection with HIV, and the patient’s response. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis might also present complications in treatment.
Doctors may use a combination of antibacterial drugs to kill off the bacteria and lessen any inflammation in the meninges. Use of corticosteroids might also help with inflammation in the brain.
A person infected with TB meningitis is at risk of developing the disease again so it might require a lifetime of monitoring once the person has recovered.
TB meningitis is a severe form of TB infection where the bacteria has entered the bloodstream and reached the brain. TB meningitis goes in three stages of severity. As the disease increases in severity, the less likely a patient will survive. TB meningitis is treatable especially if detected early.
Learn more about Infectious Diseases here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion