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.
Risk management is enhanced through diligent childhood vaccines to obliterate measles, rubella and influenza, which predispose the public to acquiring meningitis during outbreaks. Drugs prescribed to transplant recipients and cancer patients suppress the immune response thereby increasing the risk of viral and bacterial infections.
Bacterial meningitis, left untreated, carries the potential for consequences that range in severity from hearing loss to permanent neurological damage to death. This form of the illness is more prevalent in babies under 2 years old and adults beyond 50 years of age. A recent respiratory illness with symptomatic infections of the sinuses, ears, throat or lungs paves the path for infection spreading directly to the meninges. Any concussive, cranial injury provides an opening for entry of meningeal bacteria.
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.
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.
Risk management is enhanced through diligent childhood vaccines to obliterate measles, rubella and influenza, which predispose the public to acquiring meningitis during outbreaks. Drugs prescribed to transplant recipients and cancer patients suppress the immune response thereby increasing the risk of viral and bacterial infections.
Bacterial meningitis, left untreated, carries the potential for consequences that range in severity from hearing loss to permanent neurological damage to death. This form of the illness is more prevalent in babies under 2 years old and adults beyond 50 years of age. A recent respiratory illness with symptomatic infections of the sinuses, ears, throat or lungs paves the path for infection spreading directly to the meninges. Any concussive, cranial injury provides an opening for entry of meningeal bacteria.
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.
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.
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