Meningitis is an inflammatory disorder that can lead to death if not treated appropriately. This is true regardless of whether or not the patient is an adult or child. It is a condition that inflames a person's brain and spinal cord membranes, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid found in this area. Medical assistance should be pursued at once by anyone who is afflicted with this illness or he or she may die or experience life-threatening complications. There are many signs and symptoms of meningitis, and some of these mimic other diseases or disorders.
There are various factors that affect the survival rate for patients suffering from this illness. For example, a much higher mortality rate is associated with infants who suffer from this condition than adults who contract the disease. Additional aspects that increase the mortality rate in both youngsters and grown-ups include how low the patient's white cell blood count dips during his or her illness and the severity of the inflammation itself.
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.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen 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 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.
There are various factors that affect the survival rate for patients suffering from this illness. For example, a much higher mortality rate is associated with infants who suffer from this condition than adults who contract the disease. Additional aspects that increase the mortality rate in both youngsters and grown-ups include how low the patient's white cell blood count dips during his or her illness and the severity of the inflammation itself.
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.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen 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 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.
About the Author:
Read more about The Various Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis visiting our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment