Bacterial meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Several types of bacteria can cause an upper respiratory tract infection and then travel through the bloodstream to the brain. The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly. Bacterial meningitis can cause stroke, hearing loss, and permanent brain damage. Bacterial meningitis causes inflammation around the membranes of the brain and spinal cord due to a bacterial infection. This inflammation leads to increased intracranial pressure and can cause a catastrophic brain injury or death if the patient does not quickly receive proper medical treatment. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis if it is diagnosed and treated quickly. If you were harmed by bacterial meningitis and you suspect the harm was caused by medical malpractice, you should consult the experienced personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano. We help clients throughout the Upstate New York area with offices in multiple convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the medical malpractice field is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients.
Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious and can be spread through contact with saliva,
nasal discharge, feces, and respiratory and throat secretions. These are often spread through kissing, coughing, sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils, or such personal items as toothbrushes, lipstick, or cigarettes. Outbreaks of bacterial meningitis can occur in living situations where you are in close contact with others. People sharing a household, at a daycare center, or in a classroom with an infected person can become infected. College students living in dormitories, in particular, college freshmen, have a higher risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis than college students overall. Children who have not been given routine vaccines are at increased risk of developing certain types of bacterial meningitis.