Meningitis is a condition that is potentially fatal, regardless of the age of the patient. It is a disorder during which the cerebrospinal fluid and the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord become extremely inflamed. Medical help must be sought immediately by anyone suffering from this illness or life-threatening complications or death may occur. There is a broad range of signs and symptoms of meningitis, many of which mimic other disorders or diseases.
Various aspects affect the survival rate of those afflicted with this disease. For instance, infants suffering from the condition have a much higher mortality rate than adults who contract the illness. Additional factors that increase the death rate in both grown-ups and youngsters include how low the individual's white blood cell count plummets during the course of the disease and how severe the inflammation is before it is treated.
Certain viral and bacterial strains are responsible for this disorder. However, fungal and parasitic infections also cause rarer forms of the condition. In addition, there is a noninfectious type of the disorder that is referred to as aseptic meningitis. With the latter, the inflammatory symptoms associated with the condition are present, but doctors cannot typically identify a localized infection.
There is a variety of aspects that affect the severity of one's symptoms. These include the person's overall state of health, his or her age, and whether or not any underlying infections are present in the person's system besides the meningitis itself. Typically, the first symptom is a severe headache, particularly in adults. In numerous cases, a misdiagnosis of migraines or cluster headaches is made.
In most cases, those suffering from the disorder experience a stiff neck and a high fever. Additionally, bright light usually irritates patients, particularly those over the age of twenty-one. Intolerance to noise is sometimes a symptom as well, and mental fogginess or other cognitive changes may also occur as the disease progresses.
Children do not always have obvious symptoms. Many children, however, experience intolerance to cold, excessive sleepiness, and irritability. A bulging fontanelle is a classic sign of the disorder in infants. This refers to a swelling of the soft area located at the back of all newborns' heads. Children may also develop a rash called petechiae, which looks somewhat similar to the rash experienced with chicken pox. The torso is the most common area for such a rash to appear, but it may also affect the feet, hands, and mucous membranes.
The aforementioned rash may also be present in adults suffering from meningitis; however, it is much more common in youngsters. Muscle rigidity is also experienced by certain patients, and this can afflict both youngsters and adults. In its advanced stage, symptoms of the disease include abnormal muscle flexing or tightening.
The disorder can cause permanent disability such as epilepsy, behavioral problems, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and decreased intelligence. Children have a higher risk than adults of developing such complications. However, regardless of one's age, such disabilities can occur after the disease has been diagnosed. For this reason, at the first signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
Various aspects affect the survival rate of those afflicted with this disease. For instance, infants suffering from the condition have a much higher mortality rate than adults who contract the illness. Additional factors that increase the death rate in both grown-ups and youngsters include how low the individual's white blood cell count plummets during the course of the disease and how severe the inflammation is before it is treated.
Certain viral and bacterial strains are responsible for this disorder. However, fungal and parasitic infections also cause rarer forms of the condition. In addition, there is a noninfectious type of the disorder that is referred to as aseptic meningitis. With the latter, the inflammatory symptoms associated with the condition are present, but doctors cannot typically identify a localized infection.
There is a variety of aspects that affect the severity of one's symptoms. These include the person's overall state of health, his or her age, and whether or not any underlying infections are present in the person's system besides the meningitis itself. Typically, the first symptom is a severe headache, particularly in adults. In numerous cases, a misdiagnosis of migraines or cluster headaches is made.
In most cases, those suffering from the disorder experience a stiff neck and a high fever. Additionally, bright light usually irritates patients, particularly those over the age of twenty-one. Intolerance to noise is sometimes a symptom as well, and mental fogginess or other cognitive changes may also occur as the disease progresses.
Children do not always have obvious symptoms. Many children, however, experience intolerance to cold, excessive sleepiness, and irritability. A bulging fontanelle is a classic sign of the disorder in infants. This refers to a swelling of the soft area located at the back of all newborns' heads. Children may also develop a rash called petechiae, which looks somewhat similar to the rash experienced with chicken pox. The torso is the most common area for such a rash to appear, but it may also affect the feet, hands, and mucous membranes.
The aforementioned rash may also be present in adults suffering from meningitis; however, it is much more common in youngsters. Muscle rigidity is also experienced by certain patients, and this can afflict both youngsters and adults. In its advanced stage, symptoms of the disease include abnormal muscle flexing or tightening.
The disorder can cause permanent disability such as epilepsy, behavioral problems, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and decreased intelligence. Children have a higher risk than adults of developing such complications. However, regardless of one's age, such disabilities can occur after the disease has been diagnosed. For this reason, at the first signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
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