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.
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.
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.
Symptoms of the disorder in youngsters are not always as obvious. These include leg pain, cold intolerance, excessive drowsiness, and excitability. Babies suffering from the disorder may have a bulging fontanelle, which is the term used to describe the soft area at the back of the infant's head. Youngsters may also suffer from petechiae, which is a rash that resembles chickenpox. It typically appears on the torso, but may also affect the child's mucous membranes, or appear on his or her hands and feet.
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.
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.
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.
Symptoms of the disorder in youngsters are not always as obvious. These include leg pain, cold intolerance, excessive drowsiness, and excitability. Babies suffering from the disorder may have a bulging fontanelle, which is the term used to describe the soft area at the back of the infant's head. Youngsters may also suffer from petechiae, which is a rash that resembles chickenpox. It typically appears on the torso, but may also affect the child's mucous membranes, or appear on his or her hands and feet.
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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