Can You Have Meningitis and Not Know It
- Definition
- What is meningitis?
- Symptoms
- Symptoms of meningitis
- Causes
- Causes of meningitis
- Diagnosing
- Diagnosing meningitis
- Treatments
- Treatments for meningitis
- Center
- How Practise You lot Know if You Have Meningitis? Eye
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the layers of tissue and fluid that embrace the spine and encephalon. All types of meningitis cause these three symptoms - high fever, severe headache, and a stiff cervix that makes information technology hard to lower the chin to the chest.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining and fluid around the brain and the spinal string, known as the meninges. It can exist caused past bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. In some people, symptoms can occur rapidly, in others, it may develop over a few days or a few weeks. Some people can improve without treatment while in others it may be life-threatening and death can occur in just a few hours.
Anyone tin can get meningitis but some people are more at risk than others. Some risk factors include:
- Age: near cases occur in infants and children under the age of v
- Living in a crowded setting, such as college dorms or armed services barracks
- A weakened immune system
- Having had their spleen removed
- If the recommended child or adult vaccinations oasis't been completed
- Travel to some parts of the world such as Sub-Saharan Africa.
Recognizing the symptoms of meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis symptoms, is important, as early treatment can prevent serious complications, such equally:
- Balance, coordination, and movement problems
- Bone and joint problems
- Brain harm
- Kidney failure
- Learning difficulties and behavioral problems
- Loss of hearing
- Issues with concentrating and memory
- Seizures
Anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a medico immediately.
Symptoms of meningitis
Different types of meningitis cause different symptoms. The symptoms also differ in how speedily they develop and how astringent they are. But all types of meningitis cause these three {Johns Hopkins Medicine:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- A stiff neck that makes it hard to lower the chin to the chest.
In infants, these symptoms may not be easy to place or may not be present. Infants may show these signs :
- Crying constantly
- Excessive sleepiness or irritability
- Inactivity or unresponsiveness
- Refusing feeds
- Airsickness
- The soft spots on their heads (fontanelle) may bulge because the fluid effectually their heads are blocked
In older children and adults, other symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Eyes becoming more sensitive to light (photophobia)
- Irritability
- Nausea
- No hunger or thirst
- Seizures
- Airsickness
There are vaccines that offer protection from certain types of meningitis. Some of these, such equally the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, are part of the vaccination schedule for children recommended by the Earth Wellness Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Every bit with any vaccine, they're not 100 percent constructive, just are the best way to protect against some types of bacterial meningitis.
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Causes of meningitis
There are several causes of meningitis. Because some types of meningitis tin be life-threatening, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Bacterial meningitis
The germs that cause bacterial meningitis are spread from person to person. Many carriers may non get sick but can spread germs to others.
Some common examples of how these infections tin spread are:
- Coughing
- Kissing
- Sneezing
- Sharing of food and drink, lip balms, toothbrushes, or utensils
- Long periods of living together
There are several dissimilar types of bacteria that cause meningitis, such as:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae — the most common crusade of bacterial meningitis
- Group B Streptococcus — mothers tin can pass this to their babies at nascency
- Neisseria meningitidis — another common crusade which mainly affects teenagers and young adults
- Haemophilus influenzae - once the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children but now less mutual due to vaccinations
- Listeria monocytogenes — found in lunch meats, hot dogs, and unpasteurized cheeses
Viral meningitis
This is the most common type of meningitis. This type of meningitis is ordinarily mild and clears upward on its own. It tin can exist spread in different ways, but nigh are acquired by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. Other common causes include herpes simplex virus, mumps virus, and viruses spread by mosquitoes such as W Nile virus.
Fungal meningitis
Fungal meningitis is rare in the US. It's caused by animate in fungal spores that can be found in bird and bat droppings, decaying wood and leaves, and soil. If the spores spread from the lungs to the encephalon or spinal string, the person can get meningitis.
A type of mucus chosen Candida lives in our bodies and our skin, and in some people, it can enter the bloodstream and organs and cause meningitis. Fungal meningitis doesn't spread from person to person {Centers for Disease Command and Prevention: "Fungal Meningitis."}.
Chronic meningitis
This is a type of meningitis that develops slowly and lasts for four weeks or more. It tends to touch on people with immune systems weakened by cancer or AIDS, the use of sure cancer drugs, or long-term utilize of some drugs such as prednisone.
Chronic meningitis is caused by boring-growing organisms such as bacteria that causes Tuberculosis or Lyme affliction, or some types of fungi.
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Diagnosing meningitis
Your doctor may run one of the following tests to confirm that it'due south meningitis:
- A physical test
- A blood test to check for bacteria
- A computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the head may show inflammation or swelling.
- A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - a sample of fluid is taken from your spine and examined in a lab
Treatments for meningitis
Handling depends on the type of meningitis. Bacterial Meningitis Bacterial meningitis has a 10 pct death rate. Most people recover but if left untreated, death can occur in a few hours.
It'south treated with antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. The type of antibiotics used depends on the type of bacteria that'due south causing the meningitis, so before the specific crusade is identified, your doctor may kickoff prescribe a general antibiotic.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis can't exist cured with antibiotics. Most people recover on their own in seven to 10 days with no medication. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications if the meningitis is caused past certain viruses such as influenza.
Mild cases tin can exist treated with bed balance, lots of fluids, and some over-the-counter medications to help lower fever and reduce torso aches.
Fungal Meningitis
Fungal meningitis is treated with antifungal medicine. Treatment is often longer for people with weakened immune systems.
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References
Centers for Disease Command and Prevention: "Bacterial Meningitis."
Centers for Disease Command and Prevention: "Fungal Meningitis."
Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention: "Viral Meningitis."
Cleveland Clinic: "Meningitis."
Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Bacterial Meningitis."
Mayo Clinic: "Meningitis."
The Neurohospitalist: "Evaluation and Handling of Chronic Meningitis."
Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_know_if_you_have_meningitis/article.htm