Meningitis is a potentially fatal disorder, no matter how old the patient is who is suffering from the illness. It is a condition during which the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain and cerebrospinal fluid become highly inflamed. Emergency assistance must be pursued at once by those suffering from this disease or complications such as death or life-threatening situations may occur. There are many signs and symptoms of meningitis, and certain ones are very similar to those of 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.
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.
The severity of one's symptoms depend on a variety of factors. These include the patient's age, his or her overall health, and the presence of any underlying infections that are in his or her system in addition to the meningitis itself. In most cases, the first symptom experienced by adults suffering from the disorder is a severe headache. In many instances, this is initially misdiagnosed as a cluster headache or the onset of a migraine.
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.
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.
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 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 signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
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.
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.
The severity of one's symptoms depend on a variety of factors. These include the patient's age, his or her overall health, and the presence of any underlying infections that are in his or her system in addition to the meningitis itself. In most cases, the first symptom experienced by adults suffering from the disorder is a severe headache. In many instances, this is initially misdiagnosed as a cluster headache or the onset of a migraine.
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.
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.
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 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 signs and symptoms of meningitis, medical treatment should be pursued.
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