Most people confuse the signs and symptoms of meningitis from those of other medical conditions such as influenza. As a matter of fact, an outbreak will mostly be characterized by a flu-like infection or illness, hence the huge confusion. The need to be alert and learn the characteristic signs can never be overemphasized enough. This ensures you act quickly and the right measures are taken on time, a move that can actually save a life.
The causes of the disease are categorized into 3: bacterial, viral, and very rarely, fungal infections. Bacterial infections are the most common and unfortunately the most life-threatening. As the name may suggest, these are infections caused by bacteria. It is important for your doctor to properly diagnose the actual cause of the infection so that the right treatment plan can be taken.
Also worth mentioning are the risk factors commonly associated with this medical condition. If you or your child has missed scheduled vaccinations, you are at a very high risk of getting the disease. Age is also a risk factor wherein the most affected age group is that of kids below 5 years of age. This becomes worse if vaccinations have been skipped. Bacterial meningitis on the other hand is known to affect those between 5 and 20 years.
If you are living in a community setting, e. G. In a military camp, in a dormitory, or in child care facilities you may also be at a high risk of contracting the disease. This is because the bacteria is spread through the respiratory tract and will often spread quickly when large groups assemble.
Expectant mothers are also at a very high risk, thanks to the listeria bacteria. These bacteria makes expectant mothers vulnerable to listerioris, a condition that can lead to the disease if not well addressed on time. It goes without saying that the disease can be passed down to the unborn kid.
People living with compromised immune systems, e. G. Those with HIV/AIDs, diabetes, alcoholics, or those using immunosuppressant medication are also at a very high risk of getting the condition. Having said that, the following are some of the most common signs and symptoms that you should look out for.
Stiff neck, sudden high fever, seizures, sensitivity to light, difficulty waking up or sleepiness, difficulty concentrating or confusion, vomiting or nausea sometimes accompanied by headache, very severe headache that cannot be confused with a "normal" headache, skin rashes, very high fever and irritability. These are associated with an infection of those above the age of 2.
For newborns and toddlers, the symptoms could be irritability, poor feeding, crying regularly which worsens when the toddler is picked, excessive/abnormal sleepiness, extremely high fever, stiff neck and stiff parts of the body, and a swell in the fontanel.
It is important to mention that most of the signs and symptoms of meningitis mentioned above are more or less like those of most other medical conditions. It is because of this that it is highly recommended that you seek urgent medical attention when such signs as a persistent and very severe headache, sudden high fever, confusion, vomiting, and stiff neck sets in. At the very least, you will get an opportunity to have an early diagnosis hence improve your chances of getting healed permanently.
The causes of the disease are categorized into 3: bacterial, viral, and very rarely, fungal infections. Bacterial infections are the most common and unfortunately the most life-threatening. As the name may suggest, these are infections caused by bacteria. It is important for your doctor to properly diagnose the actual cause of the infection so that the right treatment plan can be taken.
Also worth mentioning are the risk factors commonly associated with this medical condition. If you or your child has missed scheduled vaccinations, you are at a very high risk of getting the disease. Age is also a risk factor wherein the most affected age group is that of kids below 5 years of age. This becomes worse if vaccinations have been skipped. Bacterial meningitis on the other hand is known to affect those between 5 and 20 years.
If you are living in a community setting, e. G. In a military camp, in a dormitory, or in child care facilities you may also be at a high risk of contracting the disease. This is because the bacteria is spread through the respiratory tract and will often spread quickly when large groups assemble.
Expectant mothers are also at a very high risk, thanks to the listeria bacteria. These bacteria makes expectant mothers vulnerable to listerioris, a condition that can lead to the disease if not well addressed on time. It goes without saying that the disease can be passed down to the unborn kid.
People living with compromised immune systems, e. G. Those with HIV/AIDs, diabetes, alcoholics, or those using immunosuppressant medication are also at a very high risk of getting the condition. Having said that, the following are some of the most common signs and symptoms that you should look out for.
Stiff neck, sudden high fever, seizures, sensitivity to light, difficulty waking up or sleepiness, difficulty concentrating or confusion, vomiting or nausea sometimes accompanied by headache, very severe headache that cannot be confused with a "normal" headache, skin rashes, very high fever and irritability. These are associated with an infection of those above the age of 2.
For newborns and toddlers, the symptoms could be irritability, poor feeding, crying regularly which worsens when the toddler is picked, excessive/abnormal sleepiness, extremely high fever, stiff neck and stiff parts of the body, and a swell in the fontanel.
It is important to mention that most of the signs and symptoms of meningitis mentioned above are more or less like those of most other medical conditions. It is because of this that it is highly recommended that you seek urgent medical attention when such signs as a persistent and very severe headache, sudden high fever, confusion, vomiting, and stiff neck sets in. At the very least, you will get an opportunity to have an early diagnosis hence improve your chances of getting healed permanently.
About the Author:
In order to become informed about the signs and symptoms of meningitis, you should review the following site www.meningitis-angels.org. We have all the relevant information about this ailment at http://www.meningitis-angels.org.
0 comments:
Post a Comment