Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Typically, a viral infection is the cause of meningitis, but the condition can be caused by bacterial and fungal infections as well. The cause of the infection determines the severity of the inflammation and which treatment will work best.
In most cases, bacterial meningitis is much more serious than viral meningitis and requires immediate treatment. If left untreated, bacterial meningitis can actually be fatal so the alternative therapies listed here should be used only in support of conventional treatment, not in place of it.

Many times the early signs and symptoms of meningitis can be mistaken for the flu. They may develop over a 24 to 48 hour period and typically include:

- A High Fever

- Severe Headache

- Vomiting or Nausea

- Headache

- Confusion

- Seizures

- Sleepiness or Difficulty Waking Up

- Stiff Neck

- Sensitivity to Light

- Loss of Appetite

- Skin rash in some cases, such as in viral or meningococcal meningitis

- Sings and symptoms in newborns and young infants may include:

- Constant Crying

- Unusual Sleepiness or Irritability

- Poor Eating

- Bacterial Meningitis

Acute bacterial meningitis is usually the result of bacteria entering the bloodstream and traveling to the brain and spinal cord. But it can also occur as a result of an ear or sinus infection or a skull fracture because in such cases, bacteria invade the meninges directly.

Viral Meningitis

Usually very mild, viral meningitis is usually often dissipates by itself in about a week and a half or less.

Chronic Meningitis

Ongoing (chronic) meningitis is very rare and occurs when slow-growing organisms penetrate the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain. This type of meningitis takes about a months time or even more, to develop. The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis are similar to those of acute meningitis.

Fungal meningitis

Fungal meningitis is relatively uncommon. A fungal form of the disease is called Cryptococcal meningitis that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. This form can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Meningitis can also be caused by things that are noninfectious like drug allergies, some types of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as lupus.

Meningitis is a serious condition. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms, you should seek immediate attention from a health-care practitioner.

That being said, the prestigious peer reviewed journal of Autoimmunity published data proving a causal relationship between the hemophilus vaccine, which is used as a preventative treatment for meningitis and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. In a nutshell, the data indicates the risks of the vaccine exceed the benefits.

Reference: Autoimmunity August 2002 Vol. 35 (4), pp. 247-253

Treating meningitis with alternative methods includes supplementing with:

Acidophilus (take as directed on label) - Needed to replenish the friendly bacteria destroyed by antibiotics. Use a non-dairy formula.

Colloidal Silver (take as directed on label) - Effective against many disease causing organisms when taken internally.

Dimethylglycine (DMG ) (125 mg twice daily) - Carries oxygen to the cells, which relives symptoms.

Garlic (2 capsules 3 times daily with meals) - Natural antibiotic that stimulates the immune system. I recommend Kyolic from Wakunaga, which is an odorless organic garlic supplement.

Maitake Extract (take as directed on label) - Builds immunity and fights viral infection.

High Potency Multivitamin and Mineral Complex (take as directed on label) - Needed for tissue protection and healing.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (3,000-10,000mg daily) - Reduces infection and aids in cleansing the bloodstream.

Zinc Lozenges (One 15 mg lozenge 3 times daily) - An immune system booster. Do not exceed 100 mg daily and dissolve lozenge in mouth. Do not chew.

Echinacea (take as directed on label) - Natural immune system booster.

Also remember to:

Avoid aspirin, which increases bleeding tendencies.

Eat a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits & vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, & yogurt.

Avoid foods that contain animal protein, caffeine, dairy products (yogurt is the only exception), processed foods, salt, sugar & white flour products as they promote mucus.

Take cool sponge baths.

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