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.
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.
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.
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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