The signs and symptoms of meningitis can be indicative of a variety of many viral or bacterial illnesses. The spinal variety of this infection is caused by bacteria and is spread by close contact with another harboring this potentially serious illness, while the aseptic illness is caused by a contagious, but generally, milder viral infection.
Viral meningitis is spread through person to person contact when a host is infected with the virus that causes inflammation at the meninges, the membrane that protects and covers the brain and spinal cord. No part of the population is exempt from this infection, except those inoculated for certain types of bacterial form of the illness. Increased risk for acquiring the contagious disease include skipping vaccines, living in community settings and a compromised immune system.
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.
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.
Bacterial meningitis, left untreated, carries the potential for consequences that range in severity from hearing loss to permanent neurological damage to death. This form of the illness is more prevalent in babies under 2 years old and adults beyond 50 years of age. A recent respiratory illness with symptomatic infections of the sinuses, ears, throat or lungs paves the path for infection spreading directly to the meninges. Any concussive, cranial injury provides an opening for entry of meningeal bacteria.
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.
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.
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.
Viral meningitis is spread through person to person contact when a host is infected with the virus that causes inflammation at the meninges, the membrane that protects and covers the brain and spinal cord. No part of the population is exempt from this infection, except those inoculated for certain types of bacterial form of the illness. Increased risk for acquiring the contagious disease include skipping vaccines, living in community settings and a compromised immune system.
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.
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.
Bacterial meningitis, left untreated, carries the potential for consequences that range in severity from hearing loss to permanent neurological damage to death. This form of the illness is more prevalent in babies under 2 years old and adults beyond 50 years of age. A recent respiratory illness with symptomatic infections of the sinuses, ears, throat or lungs paves the path for infection spreading directly to the meninges. Any concussive, cranial injury provides an opening for entry of meningeal bacteria.
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.
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.
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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