Recognizing Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis

By Tara Daniels


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.

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.

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.

Most people who suffer from the condition experience a high fever and report stiffness in the neck area. In addition, sensitivity to light typically occurs, particularly in adults. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well. Some patients also develop dullness of the mind or other cognitive changes as the illness 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 condition can result in permanent disabilities such as behavioral problems, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, decreased intelligence and hearing loss. The risk for such complications is higher in children than adults. However, patients of all ages can become disabled after such an illness. For this reason, medical treatment should be sought as soon as the signs and symptoms of meningitis occur.




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