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.
The disorder is usually caused by a specific viral or bacterial strain. In rarer instances, fungal or parasitic infections cause the disorder. In addition, there is also a form of the disease called aseptic, noninfectious meningitis. With the latter, the inflammation and other symptoms associated with the condition are present; however, but doctors cannot isolate a specific infection.
Many things affect how severe one's symptoms will be, including age, general health, and any underlying health conditions that may be present in addition to the meningitis inflammation. In the majority of cases, a severe headache is the first symptom experienced by adults who have contracted the disease. Sometimes, such headaches are initially misdiagnosed as migraines or cluster headaches.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen as the illness progresses.
Symptoms of the disorder in youngsters are not always as obvious. These include leg pain, cold intolerance, excessive drowsiness, and excitability. Babies suffering from the disorder may have a bulging fontanelle, which is the term used to describe the soft area at the back of the infant's head. Youngsters may also suffer from petechiae, which is a rash that resembles chickenpox. It typically appears on the torso, but may also affect the child's mucous membranes, or appear on his or her hands and feet.
Adults may develop petechiae when suffering from meningitis, but such a rash is more common with children. Patients may also experience muscle rigidity, and this can occur in both adults and children. When the disease reaches an advanced stage, abnormal muscle tightening or flexing may be present as well.
The disorder can result in long-term disabilities such as cognitive impairment, hearing loss, decreased intelligence, behavioral problems or epilepsy. Such complications occur more often in youngsters than adults. However, individuals of all ages can experience disabilities after fighting such a disease. This is why upon discovering signs and symptoms of meningitis, one should seek medical treatment at once.
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.
The disorder is usually caused by a specific viral or bacterial strain. In rarer instances, fungal or parasitic infections cause the disorder. In addition, there is also a form of the disease called aseptic, noninfectious meningitis. With the latter, the inflammation and other symptoms associated with the condition are present; however, but doctors cannot isolate a specific infection.
Many things affect how severe one's symptoms will be, including age, general health, and any underlying health conditions that may be present in addition to the meningitis inflammation. In the majority of cases, a severe headache is the first symptom experienced by adults who have contracted the disease. Sometimes, such headaches are initially misdiagnosed as migraines or cluster headaches.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen as the illness progresses.
Symptoms of the disorder in youngsters are not always as obvious. These include leg pain, cold intolerance, excessive drowsiness, and excitability. Babies suffering from the disorder may have a bulging fontanelle, which is the term used to describe the soft area at the back of the infant's head. Youngsters may also suffer from petechiae, which is a rash that resembles chickenpox. It typically appears on the torso, but may also affect the child's mucous membranes, or appear on his or her hands and feet.
Adults may develop petechiae when suffering from meningitis, but such a rash is more common with children. Patients may also experience muscle rigidity, and this can occur in both adults and children. When the disease reaches an advanced stage, abnormal muscle tightening or flexing may be present as well.
The disorder can result in long-term disabilities such as cognitive impairment, hearing loss, decreased intelligence, behavioral problems or epilepsy. Such complications occur more often in youngsters than adults. However, individuals of all ages can experience disabilities after fighting such a disease. This is why upon discovering signs and symptoms of meningitis, one should seek medical treatment at once.
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