After contracting bacterial meningitis, legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck died Wednesday at the age of 78, according to a statement posted to his official social media accounts and confirmed to CNN by his agent.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” the statement read. “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
Unbelievable as it may be, death can occur within hours of contracting bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The swelling is typically caused when an infection attacks the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. However, most people recover from the illness, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities,” the CDC noted on its website.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis
Symptoms of the illness can mimic the flu or Covid-19 and include a headache, fever, nausea or vomiting, brain fog, sensitivity to light, sleepiness or trouble waking, and a stiff neck.
“Meningitis can be acute, with a quick onset of symptoms, it can be chronic, lasting a month or more, or it can be mild or aseptic,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
See a doctor immediately if you or a loved one have a sudden high fever, a severe headache that doesn’t ease, confusion, vomiting, or a painful, stiff neck with limited range of motion.
Babies are more susceptible than other age groups, according to the CDC. Signs to look for include irritability, vomiting, inactivity, feeding poorly, abnormal reflexes and a bulging “soft spot,” or fontanel, on the head. Call the doctor immediately with any concerns.
How do you get bacterial meningitis?
A number of bacteria can cause meningitis, as can viruses, parasites, fungi, amoeba, and some injuries, drugs, and conditions like lupus or cancer. Treatment differs based on the cause of meningitis, so it’s important to know the source. To find out, doctors will collect samples of blood or do a spinal tap, which they send to a laboratory for analysis.
“Doctors treat bacterial meningitis with a number of antibiotics. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible,” the CDC said.
Viral meningitis, while serious, is much less deadly than the bacterial version, and people with a normal immune system typically get better on their own, the CDC said.
A viral case of meningitis is “not generally considered to be contagious,” according to Meningitis Now, an information and support charity based in the United Kingdom.
“Viral meningitis is not passed on to others by being in close contact — unlike the meningococcal form of bacterial meningitis — so no preventive treatment is needed for relatives,” the group stated.
The types of bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread in a number of ways. Group B Streptococcus and E. coli bacteria can be passed from mother to child during birth.
Pregnant women are also susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes infections, which can lead to “miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, including meningitis,” the CDC said.
Several other bacteria that cause meningitis — Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae — are passed to others by coughing or sneezing. Bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis spread by sharing saliva or spit, which typically occurs when people are kissing, coughing or living in close contact.
Not everyone who spreads the bacteria that causes meningitis gets sick. Some people carry these germs in their noses or on their bodies without knowing it.
“These people are ‘carriers.’ Most carriers never become sick, but can still spread the bacteria to others,” the CDC noted.
People with certain medical conditions, such as HIV infection or serious immune deficiency, those who don’t have spleens and patients on chemotherapy, are more likely to contract the disease, the CDC said. Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa, which has a “Meningitis belt” that extends from Senegal to Ethiopia, are also at increased risk.
