Meningitis is a potentially fatal disorder, no matter how old the patient is who is suffering from the illness. It is a condition during which the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain and cerebrospinal fluid become highly inflamed. Emergency assistance must be pursued at once by those suffering from this disease or complications such as death or life-threatening situations may occur. There are many signs and symptoms of meningitis, and certain ones are very similar to those of 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 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.
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 cause permanent disability such as epilepsy, behavioral problems, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and decreased intelligence. Children have a higher risk than adults of developing such complications. However, regardless of one's age, such disabilities can occur after the disease has been diagnosed. For this reason, at the first signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
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 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.
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 cause permanent disability such as epilepsy, behavioral problems, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and decreased intelligence. Children have a higher risk than adults of developing such complications. However, regardless of one's age, such disabilities can occur after the disease has been diagnosed. For this reason, at the first signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
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