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.
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.
Certain viral and bacterial strains are responsible for this disorder. However, fungal and parasitic infections also cause rarer forms of the condition. In addition, there is a noninfectious type of the disorder that is referred to as aseptic meningitis. With the latter, the inflammatory symptoms associated with the condition are present, but doctors cannot typically identify a localized infection.
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.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen 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 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.
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.
Certain viral and bacterial strains are responsible for this disorder. However, fungal and parasitic infections also cause rarer forms of the condition. In addition, there is a noninfectious type of the disorder that is referred to as aseptic meningitis. With the latter, the inflammatory symptoms associated with the condition are present, but doctors cannot typically identify a localized infection.
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.
In the majority of instances, individuals afflicted with this condition experience a high fever and a stiff neck. In addition, many patients find bright light irritating, especially those who are 21 years of age or older. Noise intolerance may be experienced as well, and cognitive changes or mental sluggishness may also happen 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 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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