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.
The indications for viral infection are a result of inflammation within the meninges, the thin membranous covering the brain and spinal cord. This illness can effect either sex at any age. The causes include exposure to viruses, including polio or an autoimmune reaction to a recent bout with a variety of viral illnesses, including measles. Occasionally, fungi, such as, yeast is causative. Clusters of this viral infection are often diagnosed in local epidemics.
Viral infections generally produce a milder, self limited illness, cured through the functionality of a healthy immune system. All meningitis infections, however, require comprehensive, definitive diagnosis by a medical doctor. Treatment and, thereby, outcome, is relevant to the source of infection. Cultures that reveal a fungal source require appropriate anti-fungal therapy.
Susceptibility is higher in patients recovering from recent episodes of measles, rubella or influenza. Immunosuppression increases risk with exposure by reducing the body's ability to effectively manage invading viruses or bacteria. Transplant recipients and cancer patients, HIV, autoimmune disease, alcoholism and diabetes create increased risk for acquiring and suffering complications with meningitis.
Bacteria meningitis can be life-threatening if not appropriately treated with IV antibiotics in an urgent manner. This illness is more prevalent in very young children under 2 years old and adults over 50. Susceptibility is increased if the patient has an infectious illness within the lungs, ear, nose, throat or sinuses that spreads to the meninges. A head injury or concussion can provide a direct entry point for bacterial meningeal infections.
Similar to the onset of flu, meningeal symptoms are felt suddenly. Edema in the meninges culminates in swelling, causing the characteristically relentless headache, accompanied with light sensitivity, a rising temperature equal to the severity of the infection, shaking chills followed by perspiring, exhaustion, irritability and confusion, nausea, vomiting and the telltale stiff neck.
Diagnostics are aided by clues that separate milder viral illness from the bacterial illness. Often, bacterial meningeal inflammation is precluded by a recent episode involving a respiratory infection. In addition, exclusive to the bacterial illness is the presence of a distinguishing skin rash medically recognized as papilledema.
Infants who develop a high fever along with abnormal irritability and relentless crying, sluggishness and a change in willingness to feed, are suspect for this illness until medically evaluated. Ominous signals include a bulging soft spot on the top of the baby's head and stiffness in the body and neck of the infant.
Educated with the signs and symptoms of meningitis, early recognition allows for timely, comprehensivemedical intervention, resulting in fewer complications and unnecessary deaths. While viral cases are generally self-limited and run their course without complication, bacterial cases necessitate accurate, differential diagnosis for proactive cure without permanent, life-altering complications.
The indications for viral infection are a result of inflammation within the meninges, the thin membranous covering the brain and spinal cord. This illness can effect either sex at any age. The causes include exposure to viruses, including polio or an autoimmune reaction to a recent bout with a variety of viral illnesses, including measles. Occasionally, fungi, such as, yeast is causative. Clusters of this viral infection are often diagnosed in local epidemics.
Viral infections generally produce a milder, self limited illness, cured through the functionality of a healthy immune system. All meningitis infections, however, require comprehensive, definitive diagnosis by a medical doctor. Treatment and, thereby, outcome, is relevant to the source of infection. Cultures that reveal a fungal source require appropriate anti-fungal therapy.
Susceptibility is higher in patients recovering from recent episodes of measles, rubella or influenza. Immunosuppression increases risk with exposure by reducing the body's ability to effectively manage invading viruses or bacteria. Transplant recipients and cancer patients, HIV, autoimmune disease, alcoholism and diabetes create increased risk for acquiring and suffering complications with meningitis.
Bacteria meningitis can be life-threatening if not appropriately treated with IV antibiotics in an urgent manner. This illness is more prevalent in very young children under 2 years old and adults over 50. Susceptibility is increased if the patient has an infectious illness within the lungs, ear, nose, throat or sinuses that spreads to the meninges. A head injury or concussion can provide a direct entry point for bacterial meningeal infections.
Similar to the onset of flu, meningeal symptoms are felt suddenly. Edema in the meninges culminates in swelling, causing the characteristically relentless headache, accompanied with light sensitivity, a rising temperature equal to the severity of the infection, shaking chills followed by perspiring, exhaustion, irritability and confusion, nausea, vomiting and the telltale stiff neck.
Diagnostics are aided by clues that separate milder viral illness from the bacterial illness. Often, bacterial meningeal inflammation is precluded by a recent episode involving a respiratory infection. In addition, exclusive to the bacterial illness is the presence of a distinguishing skin rash medically recognized as papilledema.
Infants who develop a high fever along with abnormal irritability and relentless crying, sluggishness and a change in willingness to feed, are suspect for this illness until medically evaluated. Ominous signals include a bulging soft spot on the top of the baby's head and stiffness in the body and neck of the infant.
Educated with the signs and symptoms of meningitis, early recognition allows for timely, comprehensivemedical intervention, resulting in fewer complications and unnecessary deaths. While viral cases are generally self-limited and run their course without complication, bacterial cases necessitate accurate, differential diagnosis for proactive cure without permanent, life-altering complications.
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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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