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.
The condition typically results from a specific bacterial or viral strain. In rare cases, parasitic or fungal infections cause the disease. Additionally, there is also a type of the disorder referred to as noninfectious, aseptic meningitis. With this condition, the symptoms of inflammation associated with the disease are present, but an infection cannot be isolated by a medical team.
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.
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.
Adults may develop petechiae when suffering from meningitis, but such a rash is more common with children. Patients may also experience muscle rigidity, and this can occur in both adults and children. When the disease reaches an advanced stage, abnormal muscle tightening or flexing may be present as well.
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.
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.
The condition typically results from a specific bacterial or viral strain. In rare cases, parasitic or fungal infections cause the disease. Additionally, there is also a type of the disorder referred to as noninfectious, aseptic meningitis. With this condition, the symptoms of inflammation associated with the disease are present, but an infection cannot be isolated by a medical team.
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.
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.
Adults may develop petechiae when suffering from meningitis, but such a rash is more common with children. Patients may also experience muscle rigidity, and this can occur in both adults and children. When the disease reaches an advanced stage, abnormal muscle tightening or flexing may be present as well.
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.
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