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 main causes of this condition are not known; even so, there is reason to believe they are as a result of bacterial, viral, and sometimes fungal infections. Fungal infections are quite rare, though, while their bacterial counterparts are the most common and most life-threatening of all cases. Again, it is important for your doctor to know the actual cause of your specific signs and symptoms so that the right treatment plan may be formulated.
Some of the risk factors associated with the condition include skipping vaccinations. The risk of developing this medical condition rises if one does not complete the recommended adult or childhood vaccinations on time. It is also associated with age, with most cases affecting children below the age of 5. Statistically, bacterial meningitis will affect people below the age of 20, particularly those living in society settings.
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.
Pregnancy also makes one susceptible. Expectant mothers are often susceptible to listeriosis, a bacterial infection brought about by listeria bacteria, which can equally lead to the condition. Needless to mention, this may also subject your unborn child to the disease.
Diabetics, HIV/AIDs patients, alcoholics, and people using immunosuppressant drugs are also at a very high risk of developing the disease. This is attributed to their compromised immune system. With that being said, here is what you should expect when you suspect this medical condition.
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.
You should seek urgent medical condition when you notice such signs and symptoms of meningitis like sudden high fever, severe and unrelenting headache, vomiting, confusion, and stiff neck. While the cause may not always be meningitis, getting a clean bill of health from your doctor, or seeking early treatment at the onset of the condition, will always improve the chances of complete healing and of course ease the pain that comes with the condition.
The main causes of this condition are not known; even so, there is reason to believe they are as a result of bacterial, viral, and sometimes fungal infections. Fungal infections are quite rare, though, while their bacterial counterparts are the most common and most life-threatening of all cases. Again, it is important for your doctor to know the actual cause of your specific signs and symptoms so that the right treatment plan may be formulated.
Some of the risk factors associated with the condition include skipping vaccinations. The risk of developing this medical condition rises if one does not complete the recommended adult or childhood vaccinations on time. It is also associated with age, with most cases affecting children below the age of 5. Statistically, bacterial meningitis will affect people below the age of 20, particularly those living in society settings.
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.
Pregnancy also makes one susceptible. Expectant mothers are often susceptible to listeriosis, a bacterial infection brought about by listeria bacteria, which can equally lead to the condition. Needless to mention, this may also subject your unborn child to the disease.
Diabetics, HIV/AIDs patients, alcoholics, and people using immunosuppressant drugs are also at a very high risk of developing the disease. This is attributed to their compromised immune system. With that being said, here is what you should expect when you suspect this medical condition.
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.
You should seek urgent medical condition when you notice such signs and symptoms of meningitis like sudden high fever, severe and unrelenting headache, vomiting, confusion, and stiff neck. While the cause may not always be meningitis, getting a clean bill of health from your doctor, or seeking early treatment at the onset of the condition, will always improve the chances of complete healing and of course ease the pain that comes with the condition.
About the Author:
Read more about The Hallmark Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis That You Should Be Aware Of visiting our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment