Most people confuse the signs and symptoms of meningitis from those of other medical conditions such as influenza. As a matter of fact, an outbreak will mostly be characterized by a flu-like infection or illness, hence the huge confusion. The need to be alert and learn the characteristic signs can never be overemphasized enough. This ensures you act quickly and the right measures are taken on time, a move that can actually save a life.
The causes of the disease are categorized into 3: bacterial, viral, and very rarely, fungal infections. Bacterial infections are the most common and unfortunately the most life-threatening. As the name may suggest, these are infections caused by bacteria. It is important for your doctor to properly diagnose the actual cause of the infection so that the right treatment plan can be taken.
Also worth mentioning are the risk factors commonly associated with this medical condition. If you or your child has missed scheduled vaccinations, you are at a very high risk of getting the disease. Age is also a risk factor wherein the most affected age group is that of kids below 5 years of age. This becomes worse if vaccinations have been skipped. Bacterial meningitis on the other hand is known to affect those between 5 and 20 years.
Research shows that the risk factors are also very high for people living in community settings such as in dormitories, military camps and childcare facilities. The reason for this is because the disease causing bacteria spreads quite fast via the respiratory tract. This means it will be widespread in a community setting when people assemble.
Expectant mothers are also at a very high risk, thanks to the listeria bacteria. These bacteria makes expectant mothers vulnerable to listerioris, a condition that can lead to the disease if not well addressed on time. It goes without saying that the disease can be passed down to the unborn kid.
Diabetics, HIV/AIDs patients, alcoholics, and people using immunosuppressant drugs are also at a very high risk of developing the disease. This is attributed to their compromised immune system. With that being said, here is what you should expect when you suspect this medical condition.
There characteristics associated with adults and kids above the age of 2 and others mostly associated with toddlers and newborns. If you experience, or your loved one experiences a sudden high fever, nausea and vomiting accompanied by a very severe and pounding headache, seizures, stiff neck, light sensitivity, sleepiness or difficulty being fully awake, confusion and difficulty concentrating, and skin rashes, it could be an indication of this condition.
Indications in newborns may include such things as poor feeding, irritability, excessive sleepiness, constant crying which gets worse when baby is picked, sudden high fever, a bulge in the fontanel and stiffness in the neck and body.
You should seek urgent medical condition when you notice such signs and symptoms of meningitis like sudden high fever, severe and unrelenting headache, vomiting, confusion, and stiff neck. While the cause may not always be meningitis, getting a clean bill of health from your doctor, or seeking early treatment at the onset of the condition, will always improve the chances of complete healing and of course ease the pain that comes with the condition.
The causes of the disease are categorized into 3: bacterial, viral, and very rarely, fungal infections. Bacterial infections are the most common and unfortunately the most life-threatening. As the name may suggest, these are infections caused by bacteria. It is important for your doctor to properly diagnose the actual cause of the infection so that the right treatment plan can be taken.
Also worth mentioning are the risk factors commonly associated with this medical condition. If you or your child has missed scheduled vaccinations, you are at a very high risk of getting the disease. Age is also a risk factor wherein the most affected age group is that of kids below 5 years of age. This becomes worse if vaccinations have been skipped. Bacterial meningitis on the other hand is known to affect those between 5 and 20 years.
Research shows that the risk factors are also very high for people living in community settings such as in dormitories, military camps and childcare facilities. The reason for this is because the disease causing bacteria spreads quite fast via the respiratory tract. This means it will be widespread in a community setting when people assemble.
Expectant mothers are also at a very high risk, thanks to the listeria bacteria. These bacteria makes expectant mothers vulnerable to listerioris, a condition that can lead to the disease if not well addressed on time. It goes without saying that the disease can be passed down to the unborn kid.
Diabetics, HIV/AIDs patients, alcoholics, and people using immunosuppressant drugs are also at a very high risk of developing the disease. This is attributed to their compromised immune system. With that being said, here is what you should expect when you suspect this medical condition.
There characteristics associated with adults and kids above the age of 2 and others mostly associated with toddlers and newborns. If you experience, or your loved one experiences a sudden high fever, nausea and vomiting accompanied by a very severe and pounding headache, seizures, stiff neck, light sensitivity, sleepiness or difficulty being fully awake, confusion and difficulty concentrating, and skin rashes, it could be an indication of this condition.
Indications in newborns may include such things as poor feeding, irritability, excessive sleepiness, constant crying which gets worse when baby is picked, sudden high fever, a bulge in the fontanel and stiffness in the neck and body.
You should seek urgent medical condition when you notice such signs and symptoms of meningitis like sudden high fever, severe and unrelenting headache, vomiting, confusion, and stiff neck. While the cause may not always be meningitis, getting a clean bill of health from your doctor, or seeking early treatment at the onset of the condition, will always improve the chances of complete healing and of course ease the pain that comes with the condition.
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