Meningitis is a serious and life threatening medical condition mostly characterized by flu-like illnesses and infections. This explains the reason why many people confuse the signs and symptoms of meningitis from those of influenza. As is always advisable when you notice any uncomfortable signs and symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. Whether it is meningitis, flu or any other condition, at least you will be assured of getting the right treatment plan.
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.
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.
Research shows that the risk factors are also very high for people living in community settings such as in dormitories, military camps and childcare facilities. The reason for this is because the disease causing bacteria spreads quite fast via the respiratory tract. This means it will be widespread in a community setting when people 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.
There characteristics associated with adults and kids above the age of 2 and others mostly associated with toddlers and newborns. If you experience, or your loved one experiences a sudden high fever, nausea and vomiting accompanied by a very severe and pounding headache, seizures, stiff neck, light sensitivity, sleepiness or difficulty being fully awake, confusion and difficulty concentrating, and skin rashes, it could be an indication of this condition.
Newborns and toddlers on the other hand may experience a swollen fontanel, abnormal sleepiness, irritability, poor feeding habits, sudden high fever, stiff body and neck and constant crying, which could be an indication of the same.
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 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.
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.
Research shows that the risk factors are also very high for people living in community settings such as in dormitories, military camps and childcare facilities. The reason for this is because the disease causing bacteria spreads quite fast via the respiratory tract. This means it will be widespread in a community setting when people 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.
There characteristics associated with adults and kids above the age of 2 and others mostly associated with toddlers and newborns. If you experience, or your loved one experiences a sudden high fever, nausea and vomiting accompanied by a very severe and pounding headache, seizures, stiff neck, light sensitivity, sleepiness or difficulty being fully awake, confusion and difficulty concentrating, and skin rashes, it could be an indication of this condition.
Newborns and toddlers on the other hand may experience a swollen fontanel, abnormal sleepiness, irritability, poor feeding habits, sudden high fever, stiff body and neck and constant crying, which could be an indication of the same.
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.
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