Flu vs. Meningitis

The inflammation of the meninges is known as meningitis. It can be due to a bacteria or a virus. It affects the brain, the spinal cord and membranes. If it occurs due to bacteria, then it is called as bacterial meningitis. But if it is due to virus, then it is called as viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis should be treated immediately as it is very dangerous and can even lead to death. Viral meningitis resembles flu. Flu is also known as influenza and of two types, the influenza A and influenza B. Flu is caused by a virus called influenza and hence the name.

The bacteria and virus enters through some cut or abraded surfaces into the blood and from there, they enter the meninges of the brain causing inflammation of the meninges. It can also occur due to infections of the ear and nose. Any injury of the head can also cause meningitis. The severe form of the above mentioned infections leads to meningitis. The causes for flu include infection droplets which can be spread from one person to another, as well as coughing or sneezing, self contact with the eyes, nose mouth and touching objects with virus on them.

Meningitis is a neurological disease whereas flu is a respiratory disease. The common symptoms of flu include chills, body aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, headache and dizziness. After regression of these symptoms, respiratory symptoms preclude over. It includes cough (dry cough), sneezing, runny nose and sore throat. Rarely, symptoms like loss of appetite, sweating, blocked nose and muscle aches may occur. The symptoms of meningitis include stiffness of the neck, headache and fever. It mostly affects children of about 2 to 3 years. The other symptoms include runny nose, lethargy, skin rashes, irritability, Epilepsy, eye becomes sensitive to sunlight, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms are mostly similar with the most important differentiating symptom being stiffness of the neck. The symptoms of meningitis vary according to the age of the patient.

The complications of flu include sinus infections and ear infections causing otitis media, and pneumonia (rarely occurs). Pneumonia can sometimes be life-threatening. The complications of meningitis include impairment of vision (blindness), inability to hear (deafness), difficulty in learning and epilepsy. The other organs of the body like the kidney, adrenal glands and heart is also affected. Sometimes patient suffer for a long time due to persistent neurological problem.

SUMMARY:
1.Meningitis can be caused by bacteria or virus whereas flu is caused by virus.
2.Meningitis commonly occurs in young children whereas flu can occur at any age.
3.Meningitis is a neurological disorder whereas flu is a respiratory disorder.
4.The symptoms of meningitis and flu are almost the same except stiffness of the neck seen in meningitis.
5.The complications of flu include sinus and ear infections whereas for meningitis blindness, deafness and some organs are also affected.