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.
Various aspects affect the survival rate of those afflicted with this disease. For instance, infants suffering from the condition have a much higher mortality rate than adults who contract the illness. Additional factors that increase the death rate in both grown-ups and youngsters include how low the individual's white blood cell count plummets during the course of the disease and how severe the inflammation is before it is treated.
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.
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.
In most cases, those suffering from the disorder experience a stiff neck and a high fever. Additionally, bright light usually irritates patients, particularly those over the age of twenty-one. Intolerance to noise is sometimes a symptom as well, and mental fogginess or other cognitive changes may also occur as the disease 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 may also be present in adults suffering from meningitis; however, it is much more common in youngsters. Muscle rigidity is also experienced by certain patients, and this can afflict both youngsters and adults. In its advanced stage, symptoms of the disease include abnormal muscle flexing or tightening.
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.
Various aspects affect the survival rate of those afflicted with this disease. For instance, infants suffering from the condition have a much higher mortality rate than adults who contract the illness. Additional factors that increase the death rate in both grown-ups and youngsters include how low the individual's white blood cell count plummets during the course of the disease and how severe the inflammation is before it is treated.
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.
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.
In most cases, those suffering from the disorder experience a stiff neck and a high fever. Additionally, bright light usually irritates patients, particularly those over the age of twenty-one. Intolerance to noise is sometimes a symptom as well, and mental fogginess or other cognitive changes may also occur as the disease 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 may also be present in adults suffering from meningitis; however, it is much more common in youngsters. Muscle rigidity is also experienced by certain patients, and this can afflict both youngsters and adults. In its advanced stage, symptoms of the disease include abnormal muscle flexing or tightening.
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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