The brain is usually covered with layers protective covering called meninges. Sometimes infections spread to these coverings resulting in inflammation. It is this inflammation that is referred to as meningitis. The pathogens are commonly transported to the brain after gaining access into the blood. The disease is potentially fatal and thus knowing the various signs and symptoms of meningitis becomes extremely important.
There are two common forms of the ailment, and they have a slight difference in presentation and prognosis. These two are bacterial and viral infection. Other microorganism such as parasites and fungi can also cause disease, but this happens on rare occasions. The previous two mainly cause disease in patients with weak immune system.
Bacterial disease is most common between the two major types. It is commonly results in a rapid deteriorating health. It is classified as a medical emergency, and thus consultation with a medic should be sought immediately when it is suspected. This form has a mortality rate of about twenty to thirty percent with treatment. This figure becomes worse when treatment of the disease is not sought.
The most common symptom in patient with this disease is a severe headache. It presents in 90 percent of the cases as shown by research. The headaches occur mostly in the bacterial type of the disease. Neck stiffness features among the major complaints. Patients with neck rigidity usually report of difficulty in neck movement. High fevers and chills also occur a lot in patients who suffer from this condition.
Fear of sound, photo-phobia, and an altered conscious state are among other indication of this infection. The deranged mental state could present in the form of delirium, confusion, irritability and seizures. Meningococcal meningitis commonly presents with pain in the joints, blood clotting within the vessels and rashes that resemble bruises. Projectile, strong vomit is also a characteristic of the infection.
Diagnosis should be suspected subject to confirmation when a patient presents with a combination of the follow disease presentation. The first one is neck rigidity. Sudden onset of high fever is the second one. Finally, the third one is the altered mental status. These are the classic triad of meningitis presentation. Absence of these three almost always rules out the disease. It is vital to keep the other signs in mind because sometimes the condition may present differently.
Disease progression is usually quick. A quarter of those suffering from the disease get the symptoms within twenty four hours of infection. It may take a couple of days or weeks for symptoms to develop in some people. Sometimes it is slowed when the patient is taking antibiotics for another condition in the body.
It is crucial for folks to know that several diseases and conditions can mimic presentation of this infection. Many diseases present with high fevers. Headaches too are common to many ailments. This calls for a thorough investigation of each symptom for proper diagnosis. Disease states like cerebral malaria, severe dehydration, encephalitis and metabolic illnesses can all cause alteration in conscious level of a person.
The outcome of this disease is good when it is detected early, and therapy is promptly administered. Hospitalization may be necessary, but if the patient is not in critical condition then he or she can be managed at the outpatient clinic. Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis can be the difference between life and death.
There are two common forms of the ailment, and they have a slight difference in presentation and prognosis. These two are bacterial and viral infection. Other microorganism such as parasites and fungi can also cause disease, but this happens on rare occasions. The previous two mainly cause disease in patients with weak immune system.
Bacterial disease is most common between the two major types. It is commonly results in a rapid deteriorating health. It is classified as a medical emergency, and thus consultation with a medic should be sought immediately when it is suspected. This form has a mortality rate of about twenty to thirty percent with treatment. This figure becomes worse when treatment of the disease is not sought.
The most common symptom in patient with this disease is a severe headache. It presents in 90 percent of the cases as shown by research. The headaches occur mostly in the bacterial type of the disease. Neck stiffness features among the major complaints. Patients with neck rigidity usually report of difficulty in neck movement. High fevers and chills also occur a lot in patients who suffer from this condition.
Fear of sound, photo-phobia, and an altered conscious state are among other indication of this infection. The deranged mental state could present in the form of delirium, confusion, irritability and seizures. Meningococcal meningitis commonly presents with pain in the joints, blood clotting within the vessels and rashes that resemble bruises. Projectile, strong vomit is also a characteristic of the infection.
Diagnosis should be suspected subject to confirmation when a patient presents with a combination of the follow disease presentation. The first one is neck rigidity. Sudden onset of high fever is the second one. Finally, the third one is the altered mental status. These are the classic triad of meningitis presentation. Absence of these three almost always rules out the disease. It is vital to keep the other signs in mind because sometimes the condition may present differently.
Disease progression is usually quick. A quarter of those suffering from the disease get the symptoms within twenty four hours of infection. It may take a couple of days or weeks for symptoms to develop in some people. Sometimes it is slowed when the patient is taking antibiotics for another condition in the body.
It is crucial for folks to know that several diseases and conditions can mimic presentation of this infection. Many diseases present with high fevers. Headaches too are common to many ailments. This calls for a thorough investigation of each symptom for proper diagnosis. Disease states like cerebral malaria, severe dehydration, encephalitis and metabolic illnesses can all cause alteration in conscious level of a person.
The outcome of this disease is good when it is detected early, and therapy is promptly administered. Hospitalization may be necessary, but if the patient is not in critical condition then he or she can be managed at the outpatient clinic. Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis can be the difference between life and death.
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