Understanding Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis

Understanding Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis

by Tara Daniels

Meningitis is a condition that is potentially fatal, regardless of the age of the patient. It is a disorder during which the cerebrospinal fluid and the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord become extremely inflamed. Medical help must be sought immediately by anyone suffering from this illness or life-threatening complications or death may occur. There is a broad range of signs and symptoms of meningitis, many of which mimic other disorders or diseases.

The survival rate for those afflicted with the aforementioned illness is affected by various factors. For instance, infants suffering from the disease have a higher mortality rate than adults. Other things that increase the mortality rate of both grown-ups and children include the patient's age, the severity of inflammation, and how low the person's white blood cell count dips when he or she is ill.

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.

Youngsters do not always exhibit as obvious of symptoms as adults. Children may experience cold intolerance, excitability, leg pain, and extreme drowsiness. Infants who have the condition may have a bulging fontanelle, the latter of which is the word used to describe the area in the back of the baby's head that is somewhat soft. Children may also experience a rash called petechiae, which is similar in appearance to chickenpox. It can appear on the feet, hands, mucous membranes, or other areas, but it is most often seen in the torso.

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 disorder can cause permanent disability such as epilepsy, behavioral problems, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and decreased intelligence. Children have a higher risk than adults of developing such complications. However, regardless of one's age, such disabilities can occur after the disease has been diagnosed. For this reason, at the first <A href="http://www.meningitis-angels.org/signs-and-symptoms.html">signs and symptoms of meningitis</A>, medical treatment should be pursued.



<a href="http://www.meningitis-angels.org/signs-and-symptoms.html">Read more about</a> The Various Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis visiting our website.

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