Cricket Legend Damien Martyn in Induced Coma: What Is Meningitis, and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Times Now

Former Australian batting legend Damien Martyn has been placed into an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. The 54-year-old—known for playing 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006—has been hospitalised

after he reportedly fell ill last week. Martyn played in four Ashes series, retiring with immediate effect before the third Test in 2006, and won two World Cups with Australia.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the three tissues that surround your brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. Another name for it is spinal meningitis, and the condition is life-threatening. According to doctors, your meninges normally protect your brain and spinal cord from injury. They contain nerves, blood vessels, and cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, and when your meninges become inflamed, they swell too much and put pressure on your brain and/or spinal cord. Infectious diseases, like viruses and bacteria, can cause meningitis. Noninfectious conditions, like cancer and head injuries, can cause it, too.

Signs and symptoms of meningitis

According to experts, the symptoms of meningitis can vary depending on age. A few signs include:

Fever
Stiff neck
Sensitivity to light
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion or altered mental status
Lack of energy, extreme sleepiness, or trouble waking up
Lack of appetite

Signs of meningitis in babies can include:

Bulging soft spot on the head
Poor feeding
Irritability
Sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep
Low energy or slower responses

What does meningitis feel like?

Meningitis can cause severe headaches that can be quite painful. The pain may spread down your back or to other parts of your body. It may be almost impossible to move your neck in certain ways. Some people have mild pain. Do not wait for severe pain to see your healthcare provider if you have other symptoms of meningitis.

What causes meningitis?

Infectious diseases and non-infectious conditions cause meningitis. Specific causes of each type include:

Bacterial meningitis

Common bacteria include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Group B Streptococcus

Viral meningitis

Viruses include non-polio enteroviruses, like group B coxsackievirus and echovirus.

Fungal meningitis

Some fungi that can cause meningitis include Candida

Parasitic meningitis

Also known as eosinophilic meningitis, the parasites that can cause this include rat lungworm

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis

NSAIDs and antibiotics are the most common causes of DIAM. But overall, it’s rare.

Carcinomatous meningitis

Cancer cells get into your meninges and cause inflammation. It can occur in the advanced stage of any cancer.

Post-traumatic meningitis

It results from a brain or head injury.

Autoimmune meningitis

Autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are causes.

What are the risk factors?

Your age, where you live or travel, and certain health conditions can increase your risk of meningitis. However, you are at a higher risk for it if you: