Cryptococcal meningitis (said: KRIP-tuh-KOK-ul MEN-in-JI-tis) is an infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by a fungus (such as mold or mildew). The fungus can be found in dust, soil, and bird droppings.
What you should know about cryptococcal meningitis:
- The infection can be very dangerous. People die if it is not treated
- It is mostly seen in people with CD4 cell counts below 50
- If you have any of these symptoms for more than 3 days, call your healthcare provider right away, or go to the hospital:
- The worst headache you have ever had
- Dizziness or confusion
- Fever of 100°F or more
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)
- Throwing up (vomiting)
- Neck and body aches
- Pain in your eyes from the light
- A blood test or taking fluid from your spinal cord (spinal tap) is done to see if you have this infection
- Here are ways it can be treated:
- Mild cases are often treated with antifungal medicine
- More serious cases are treated with 2 different medicines
- If your CD4 cell count is very low but you do not have this infection, your healthcare provider might recommend that you take a medicine that fights fungus (an antifungal) every day. This can keep you from getting the disease
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