Differentiating the signs and symptoms of meningitis is critical in the final outcome of a contagious illness that is often mistaken at onset for common influenza. Two infectious forms define this illness as either viral (aseptic), which is usually milder or bacterial (spinal), which has the potential for causing fatalities.
The indications for viral infection are a result of inflammation within the meninges, the thin membranous covering the brain and spinal cord. This illness can effect either sex at any age. The causes include exposure to viruses, including polio or an autoimmune reaction to a recent bout with a variety of viral illnesses, including measles. Occasionally, fungi, such as, yeast is causative. Clusters of this viral infection are often diagnosed in local epidemics.
Most viral cases recover fully without intervention or any need for antibiotics, as viral illness are managed by the body's immune response. The illness, however, requires the attention of a physician to culture for cause. If the illness is introduced through acquisition of a fungus, the appropriate prescribed course of anti-fungal medication is necessary for cure.
Susceptibility is higher in patients recovering from recent episodes of measles, rubella or influenza. Immunosuppression increases risk with exposure by reducing the body's ability to effectively manage invading viruses or bacteria. Transplant recipients and cancer patients, HIV, autoimmune disease, alcoholism and diabetes create increased risk for acquiring and suffering complications with meningitis.
Meningococcal illness carries the urgency of life-threatening consequences if correct diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This renders a grave health crisis in the very young or adults over 50 years old, often with weaker immune systems than the rest of the population. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can spread to the meninges. Any recent head injury provides a portal for introducing bacterial infection.
Following exposure to this contagious illness, patients develop symptoms commonly felt at the onset of influenza. The inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord creates swelling, which triggers the hallmark signals of sustained headache, fever (high or low related to severity of the infection), chills alternating with sweating, malaise and nuchal rigidity (stiff neck).
Diagnostics are aided by clues that separate milder viral illness from the bacterial illness. Often, bacterial meningeal inflammation is precluded by a recent episode involving a respiratory infection. In addition, exclusive to the bacterial illness is the presence of a distinguishing skin rash medically recognized as papilledema.
Infants who develop a high fever along with abnormal irritability and relentless crying, sluggishness and a change in willingness to feed, are suspect for this illness until medically evaluated. Ominous signals include a bulging soft spot on the top of the baby's head and stiffness in the body and neck of the infant.
Since the signs and symptoms of meningitis are similar in both forms of the illness, it is imperative that the patient seek medical help without delay. Determination of the specific cause for the infection will ensure that the patient is properly treated for an uncomplicated, full recovery.
The indications for viral infection are a result of inflammation within the meninges, the thin membranous covering the brain and spinal cord. This illness can effect either sex at any age. The causes include exposure to viruses, including polio or an autoimmune reaction to a recent bout with a variety of viral illnesses, including measles. Occasionally, fungi, such as, yeast is causative. Clusters of this viral infection are often diagnosed in local epidemics.
Most viral cases recover fully without intervention or any need for antibiotics, as viral illness are managed by the body's immune response. The illness, however, requires the attention of a physician to culture for cause. If the illness is introduced through acquisition of a fungus, the appropriate prescribed course of anti-fungal medication is necessary for cure.
Susceptibility is higher in patients recovering from recent episodes of measles, rubella or influenza. Immunosuppression increases risk with exposure by reducing the body's ability to effectively manage invading viruses or bacteria. Transplant recipients and cancer patients, HIV, autoimmune disease, alcoholism and diabetes create increased risk for acquiring and suffering complications with meningitis.
Meningococcal illness carries the urgency of life-threatening consequences if correct diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This renders a grave health crisis in the very young or adults over 50 years old, often with weaker immune systems than the rest of the population. A concurrent upper respiratory infection can spread to the meninges. Any recent head injury provides a portal for introducing bacterial infection.
Following exposure to this contagious illness, patients develop symptoms commonly felt at the onset of influenza. The inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord creates swelling, which triggers the hallmark signals of sustained headache, fever (high or low related to severity of the infection), chills alternating with sweating, malaise and nuchal rigidity (stiff neck).
Diagnostics are aided by clues that separate milder viral illness from the bacterial illness. Often, bacterial meningeal inflammation is precluded by a recent episode involving a respiratory infection. In addition, exclusive to the bacterial illness is the presence of a distinguishing skin rash medically recognized as papilledema.
Infants who develop a high fever along with abnormal irritability and relentless crying, sluggishness and a change in willingness to feed, are suspect for this illness until medically evaluated. Ominous signals include a bulging soft spot on the top of the baby's head and stiffness in the body and neck of the infant.
Since the signs and symptoms of meningitis are similar in both forms of the illness, it is imperative that the patient seek medical help without delay. Determination of the specific cause for the infection will ensure that the patient is properly treated for an uncomplicated, full recovery.
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