What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis
• Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningoencephalitis
• Headache due to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis

What is Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to intracranial infections such as bacterial meningitis or bacterial meningoencephalitis. The condition is generally marked by fever, dizziness, change in one’s mental state, seizures, and other neurological signs and symptoms, besides headache that may be the first of the presentations
  • Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, a protective tissue layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord. High fever, headache, and stiff neck is observed in about 90% of the individuals with this infection
  • Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a bacterial infection that involves both the meninges and the brain, resulting in their inflammation with associated signs and symptoms. It is a life-threatening medical emergency
• The headache may be a “new” headache, or the exacerbation of a pre-existing headache may take place, which then becomes chronic. The onset of headache occurs from toxins released by the bacteria and/or from elevated intracranial pressure. Based on the duration of the headache, they are grouped as acute, chronic, or persistent
• Accordingly, there are three subtypes of Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis, which include:
  • Acute Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis - where the headache is present for less than 3 months
  • Chronic Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis - the infection remains active or has resolved in 3 months, but the headache is present for over 3 months
  • Persistent Headache Attributed to Past Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis - the headache persists for more than 3 months, even though the infection has resolved
• The headache is known to improve and regress on undertaking suitable management of the underlying intracranial infection. Similarly, a progression of the infection in the absence of adequate treatment can worsen the headache

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Bacterial Meningitis or Meningoencephalitis as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis has been diagnosed
• Headache of any duration fulfilling the criterion below

Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following:

• Headache has developed in close temporal relation to the onset of the bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis
• Headache has significantly worsened in parallel with worsening of the bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis
• Headache has significantly improved in parallel with improvement in the bacterial meningitis or meningoencephalitis
• Headache is either or both of the following:
  • Holocranial
  • Located in the nuchal area and associated with neck stiffness

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)