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.
Viral infections generally produce a milder, self limited illness, cured through the functionality of a healthy immune system. All meningitis infections, however, require comprehensive, definitive diagnosis by a medical doctor. Treatment and, thereby, outcome, is relevant to the source of infection. Cultures that reveal a fungal source require appropriate anti-fungal therapy.
Risks that increase the likelihood of acquiring this viral infection are a recent bout with measles, rubella or seasonal flu, as well as exposure during an outbreak of meningitis. Immunosuppressive drugs prescribed for transplant recipients and cancer patients lower resistance to viral infections and increase the risk for this illness.
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.
Meningeal infection shares many classically symptomatic hallmarks of influenza. Onset of symptoms, following exposure, is usually rapid. Common indications include variable fever with chills and sweating, severe headache, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea with vomiting and stiff neck. Signs of CNS involvement are extreme sensitivity to light along with nonreactive pupils of different size, irritability, confusion, sleepiness progressing to altered consciousness.
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.
Educated with the signs and symptoms of meningitis, early recognition allows for timely, comprehensivemedical intervention, resulting in fewer complications and unnecessary deaths. While viral cases are generally self-limited and run their course without complication, bacterial cases necessitate accurate, differential diagnosis for proactive cure without permanent, life-altering complications.
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.
Viral infections generally produce a milder, self limited illness, cured through the functionality of a healthy immune system. All meningitis infections, however, require comprehensive, definitive diagnosis by a medical doctor. Treatment and, thereby, outcome, is relevant to the source of infection. Cultures that reveal a fungal source require appropriate anti-fungal therapy.
Risks that increase the likelihood of acquiring this viral infection are a recent bout with measles, rubella or seasonal flu, as well as exposure during an outbreak of meningitis. Immunosuppressive drugs prescribed for transplant recipients and cancer patients lower resistance to viral infections and increase the risk for this illness.
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.
Meningeal infection shares many classically symptomatic hallmarks of influenza. Onset of symptoms, following exposure, is usually rapid. Common indications include variable fever with chills and sweating, severe headache, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea with vomiting and stiff neck. Signs of CNS involvement are extreme sensitivity to light along with nonreactive pupils of different size, irritability, confusion, sleepiness progressing to altered consciousness.
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.
Educated with the signs and symptoms of meningitis, early recognition allows for timely, comprehensivemedical intervention, resulting in fewer complications and unnecessary deaths. While viral cases are generally self-limited and run their course without complication, bacterial cases necessitate accurate, differential diagnosis for proactive cure without permanent, life-altering complications.
About the Author:
Read more about Recognize A Potential Crisis With The Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis visiting our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment