How does Meningitis Cause Back Pain?

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Muscle spasms

In severe cases, meningitis may cause the back to become painfully rigid and arched (opisthotonos). Young children and infants are more likely to have opisthotonos. But in a few cases, it also can affect older people.

Opisthotonos, a kind of abnormal posturing, is caused by strong muscle spasms. And meningitis is one of common reasons for these spasms. Actually, these spasms are the body’s mechanism of trying to help relieve irritation of the meninges. But since the nervous systems in infants and young children have not fully developed, they can experience backward arching of the spine, neck, and head.

Kidney failure

Some patients with meningitis (especially bacterial meningitis) may develop complications of the disease. The longer they have the disease without appropriate treatment, the higher the risk of developing permanent neurological damage and other serious complications.

The disease may lead to long-term consequences such as kidney disease. As mentioned before, it can affect the circulatory system. This can make your kidneys work harder than usual. As a result, you may have serious kidney damage. And back pain (especially in the flank area) is common symptom of kidney disease.

Meningococcal disease

It is a serious, acute bacterial infection caused by meningococcus. The infection can cause a number of infectious diseases. The main ones are meningitis and septicaemia (affecting the blood, also called blood poisoning).

Meningococcal meningitis can occur with septicaemia, making the disease more difficult to treat. Meningococcal infection that has entered the circulation can cause muscle ache or joint pain which may also affect the back.

Again, back pain can be attributed by many factors and causes. Even in people with meningitis, it may be triggered by something else. If you do believe that your pain may signal abnormal health condition, see a doctor without delay – this is particularly true if it comes with common symptoms of meningitis!

The disease is dangerous if left untreated, especially for bacterial meningitis. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent the disease from getting worse and reduce the risk of potential long-term side effects.

Article sources:

  1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003195.htm
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/

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