Differentiating the signs and symptoms of meningitis is critical in the final outcome of a contagious illness that is often mistaken at onset for common influenza. Two infectious forms define this illness as either viral (aseptic), which is usually milder or bacterial (spinal), which has the potential for causing fatalities.
Viral meningitis is an equal opportunistic infection, affecting men, women and children of all ages. The risk for acquiring illness following exposure increases when the immune system is compromised due to autoimmune dysfunction, depleted immunity or the use of immunosuppressant drug therapies. Misinformation and fear regarding vaccines has resulted in more children contracting measles, mumps or rubella, increasing risk for developing meningeal infections. Common fungal infections can result in developing this illness. Communal living increases risk for cluster epidemics.
Most viral cases recover fully without intervention or any need for antibiotics, as viral illness are managed by the body's immune response. The illness, however, requires the attention of a physician to culture for cause. If the illness is introduced through acquisition of a fungus, the appropriate prescribed course of anti-fungal medication is necessary for cure.
Risks that increase the likelihood of acquiring this viral infection are a recent bout with measles, rubella or seasonal flu, as well as exposure during an outbreak of meningitis. Immunosuppressive drugs prescribed for transplant recipients and cancer patients lower resistance to viral infections and increase the risk for this illness.
Meningococcal illness carries the urgency of life-threatening consequences if correct diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This renders a grave health crisis in the very young or adults over 50 years old, often with weaker immune systems than the rest of the population. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can spread to the meninges. Any recent head injury provides a portal for introducing bacterial infection.
Meningeal infection shares many classically symptomatic hallmarks of influenza. Onset of symptoms, following exposure, is usually rapid. Common indications include variable fever with chills and sweating, severe headache, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea with vomiting and stiff neck. Signs of CNS involvement are extreme sensitivity to light along with nonreactive pupils of different size, irritability, confusion, sleepiness progressing to altered consciousness.
Patients will often exhibit photo-phobia, with unequal, sluggish pupils. Classic signs of central nervous system involvement, including irritability, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and drowsiness may be present. In addition to these shared symptomatic indications, bacteria meningitis may be precluded with a sore throat and respiratory symptoms. Patients with the bacterial form of this illness may display a characteristic red or purple skin rash.
Ill newborns will develop a significantly elevated temperature, unusual irritability and inconsolable crying. Activity levels may reduce to abnormally sluggish demeanor with poor feeding. The soft spot, known as the fontenel, at the top of the skull may bulge and the baby's body and neck may exhibit rigidity.
As the criteria for definitive diagnosis is complex in an illness that can run the gamut from relatively minor to critical, urgent medical evaluation and treatment is necessary. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis offers a guidepost for recognizing the picture of an illness that indicates urgency. Only a physician can accurately ascertain the cause, severity and treatment plan for a complete recovery.
Viral meningitis is an equal opportunistic infection, affecting men, women and children of all ages. The risk for acquiring illness following exposure increases when the immune system is compromised due to autoimmune dysfunction, depleted immunity or the use of immunosuppressant drug therapies. Misinformation and fear regarding vaccines has resulted in more children contracting measles, mumps or rubella, increasing risk for developing meningeal infections. Common fungal infections can result in developing this illness. Communal living increases risk for cluster epidemics.
Most viral cases recover fully without intervention or any need for antibiotics, as viral illness are managed by the body's immune response. The illness, however, requires the attention of a physician to culture for cause. If the illness is introduced through acquisition of a fungus, the appropriate prescribed course of anti-fungal medication is necessary for cure.
Risks that increase the likelihood of acquiring this viral infection are a recent bout with measles, rubella or seasonal flu, as well as exposure during an outbreak of meningitis. Immunosuppressive drugs prescribed for transplant recipients and cancer patients lower resistance to viral infections and increase the risk for this illness.
Meningococcal illness carries the urgency of life-threatening consequences if correct diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This renders a grave health crisis in the very young or adults over 50 years old, often with weaker immune systems than the rest of the population. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can spread to the meninges. Any recent head injury provides a portal for introducing bacterial infection.
Meningeal infection shares many classically symptomatic hallmarks of influenza. Onset of symptoms, following exposure, is usually rapid. Common indications include variable fever with chills and sweating, severe headache, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea with vomiting and stiff neck. Signs of CNS involvement are extreme sensitivity to light along with nonreactive pupils of different size, irritability, confusion, sleepiness progressing to altered consciousness.
Patients will often exhibit photo-phobia, with unequal, sluggish pupils. Classic signs of central nervous system involvement, including irritability, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and drowsiness may be present. In addition to these shared symptomatic indications, bacteria meningitis may be precluded with a sore throat and respiratory symptoms. Patients with the bacterial form of this illness may display a characteristic red or purple skin rash.
Ill newborns will develop a significantly elevated temperature, unusual irritability and inconsolable crying. Activity levels may reduce to abnormally sluggish demeanor with poor feeding. The soft spot, known as the fontenel, at the top of the skull may bulge and the baby's body and neck may exhibit rigidity.
As the criteria for definitive diagnosis is complex in an illness that can run the gamut from relatively minor to critical, urgent medical evaluation and treatment is necessary. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis offers a guidepost for recognizing the picture of an illness that indicates urgency. Only a physician can accurately ascertain the cause, severity and treatment plan for a complete recovery.
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Find out the signs and symptoms of Meningitis by visiting this informative website at www.meningitis-angels.org. Here is more information on http://www.meningitis-angels.org.
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