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.
There are various factors that affect the survival rate for patients suffering from this illness. For example, a much higher mortality rate is associated with infants who suffer from this condition than adults who contract the disease. Additional aspects that increase the mortality rate in both youngsters and grown-ups include how low the patient's white cell blood count dips during his or her illness and the severity of the inflammation itself.
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.
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.
Youngsters do not always exhibit as obvious of symptoms as adults. Children may experience cold intolerance, excitability, leg pain, and extreme drowsiness. Infants who have the condition may have a bulging fontanelle, the latter of which is the word used to describe the area in the back of the baby's head that is somewhat soft. Children may also experience a rash called petechiae, which is similar in appearance to chickenpox. It can appear on the feet, hands, mucous membranes, or other areas, but it is most often seen in the torso.
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.
There are various factors that affect the survival rate for patients suffering from this illness. For example, a much higher mortality rate is associated with infants who suffer from this condition than adults who contract the disease. Additional aspects that increase the mortality rate in both youngsters and grown-ups include how low the patient's white cell blood count dips during his or her illness and the severity of the inflammation itself.
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.
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.
Youngsters do not always exhibit as obvious of symptoms as adults. Children may experience cold intolerance, excitability, leg pain, and extreme drowsiness. Infants who have the condition may have a bulging fontanelle, the latter of which is the word used to describe the area in the back of the baby's head that is somewhat soft. Children may also experience a rash called petechiae, which is similar in appearance to chickenpox. It can appear on the feet, hands, mucous membranes, or other areas, but it is most often seen in the torso.
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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