The Various Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis

By Tara Daniels


Meningitis is an inflammatory disorder that can lead to death if not treated appropriately. This is true regardless of whether or not the patient is an adult or child. It is a condition that inflames a person's brain and spinal cord membranes, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid found in this area. Medical assistance should be pursued at once by anyone who is afflicted with this illness or he or she may die or experience life-threatening complications. There are many signs and symptoms of meningitis, and some of these mimic other diseases or disorders.

The survival rate for those afflicted with the aforementioned illness is affected by various factors. For instance, infants suffering from the disease have a higher mortality rate than adults. Other things that increase the mortality rate of both grown-ups and children include the patient's age, the severity of inflammation, and how low the person's white blood cell count dips when he or she is ill.

The condition typically results from a specific bacterial or viral strain. In rare cases, parasitic or fungal infections cause the disease. Additionally, there is also a type of the disorder referred to as noninfectious, aseptic meningitis. With this condition, the symptoms of inflammation associated with the disease are present, but an infection cannot be isolated by a medical team.

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 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 is also sometimes seen in adults who have contracted meningitis, but it is typically seen more often in youngsters. Muscle rigidity may also be experienced, and this can occur in both youngsters and adults. In advanced cases, abnormal flexing or tightening of the muscles may be present.

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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