Meningitis when the membranes around your brain and spine become inflamed. It is essential to know the symptoms of meningitis and look for instant medical attention.
The membranes around your spinal cord and brain are called meninges, and when they end up being irritated, the condition is called meningitis. It is normally triggered by a viral infection, however fungal and bacterial infections may also result in meningitis. Depending upon the underlying cause, it gets better in a number of weeks. In some unusual cases, it produces deadly consequences needing urgent antibiotic treatment. If you or somebody in your household exhibit meningitis symptoms, it is important to look for immediate medical care to avoid serious issues.
What Are the Symptoms of Meningitis?
You may establish meningitis due to viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms appear rapidly when you have viral meningitis, but they might take some days to develop in case of microbial meningitis. The early symptoms and signs look like a lot to the flu, so it is quite natural to not take them seriously. The most common symptoms include stiff neck, sudden high fever, seizures, confusion, vomiting or queasiness, resting problems, absence of hunger, and skin rash in some cases.
If the infection enters your blood stream, you will experience some specific symptoms, such as the following:
- Skin rash
- Stomach cramps
- Abnormal skin color
- Chills
- Quick breathing
- Muscle or joint pain
It is essential to keep in mind that symptoms might differ a bit depending upon your age. For example, infants and babies are most likely to have headaches with stiff neck. Other signs are high fever, poor feeding, continuous crying, excessive irritability, sluggishness, tightness in the body, and a bulge on top of your baby’s head. Your baby might also breathe quickly, end up being drowsy, and have pale, blotchy skin.
Symptoms of meningitis in teens and grownups may be a bit different. While they likewise experience symptoms, such as confusion, sleepiness, vomiting, high fever, and a severe headache, they are more likely to develop level of sensitivity to light, an unique rash, and convulsion or seizure.
Complications
Microbial meningitis may have a number of problems, including visual impairment, hearing loss, learning impairments, and seizures. It may also affect the kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands. Problems of microbial meningitis normally require extra treatment. Your doctor might recommend anticonvulsants to deal with seizures or provide IV fluids and specific medications if you develop low blood pressure. Some kids may need additional oxygen to deal with breathing issues.
Do You Have Viral Meningitis or Bacterial Meningitis?
Regrettably, it is not possible to distinguish between the 2 just by taking a look at symptoms of meningitis. Your doctor will perform several tests to discriminate in between the 2 kinds of meningitis. That is the reason that it is important to deal with every case of meningitis with equivalent care.
The Glass Test
Take a clear glass and location it against your skin. Apply some pressure and see if the rash fades or not. If it does not, it may be meningococcal septicemia. Your rash will also resemble tiny pin pricks and may later become purple bruising. If you notice these signs, you need to seek instant medical assistance.
Meningitis Diagnosis
Your doctor will first consider symptoms of meningitis and after that examine your medical history to make a diagnosis. They might also order diagnostic tests, such as the following:
- They ask for blood tests to identify the germs that is causing the infection.
- They might request imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans of your chest, head, or sinuses to see how severe the inflammation or swelling is.
- These imaging tests also assist identify if other areas of the body are contaminated or not.
- They might ask for back tap that involves taking out some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis. If it reveals a low sugar level with increased leukocyte, the chances are you have meningitis.
What Are the Treatments for Meningitis?
Once your tests and symptoms of meningitis validate that you have this infection, your doctor will work carefully with you and determine the best treatment option. It typically depends upon what type of meningitis you or your kid has.
- Bacterial Meningitis: It needs treatment with intravenous prescription antibiotics in addition to cortisone medications to decrease the risk of problems, such as seizures and brain swelling. Your doctor may prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic if the exact reason for meningitis is unclear.
- Viral Meningitis: You generally require no treatment due to the fact that antibiotics are inadequate against viral infections. It might take numerous weeks up until you see some enhancement. You need to take plenty of rest with fluids and some OTC medications to ease body pains and pain. Your doctor might recommend an antiviral medication if your meningitis is due to a herpes virus.
- Other Types of Meningitis: Your doctor will start antibiotic and antiviral treatment if the cause is not yet clear. Making use of antiviral medications when the cause is not understood is not a smart idea because they can have significant side effects. Cortisone medications work for noninfectious meningitis triggered by an autoimmune illness or allergy.
For Infants
Your doctor might follow a different treatment approach when your baby has symptoms of meningitis. For instance:
- Viral Meningitis: No treatment is generally needed because your youngster’s immune system will manage it by itself. Often, it is very important to give your infant medication for fever and pain relief.
- Bacterial Meningitis: You will need to give your youngster some prescription antibiotics to get rid of the germs. In many cases, it needs a health center stay of as much as 2 weeks. The treatment assists 85 % of the time, if it is detected early.
Prevention of Meningitis
Regular immunization truly assists a lot in avoiding meningitis. The vaccines versus measles, Hib, polio, mumps, pneumococcus, and meningococcus aid protect your youngster from meningitis. It is essential to vaccinate your kid for meningococcal disease once they turn 11 – they ought to get a booster shot when they turn 16. Moreover, good health will also protect you and your child against meningitis because numerous viruses and germs that trigger this condition are rather typical. Tell your kids to wash their hands before they eat anything and especially after using the bathroom. Likewise, avoid sharing utensils with somebody who is ill.
