What is Meningitis? Is meningitis usually contagious in kids? Meningitis is an infection that affects the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. It has an effect on both kids and adult, but babies between 6-12 months are the highest risk group for meningitis.
Meningitis, which is likely to cause permanent damage, is transmitted with droplets (sneezing, coughing, etc.) What is the treatment of meningitis? Meningitis is a disease that can get worse within in short time after starting of symptoms, and you should know that one type of meningitis a life-threatening illness. To the treatment of meningitis, your doctor has to diagnosis and decide which type of meningitis that patients experience. This text will explain meningitis in general sense and indicate the types of meningitis with symptoms.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is almost always caused by bacterial or viral infections that begin any part in the body near the brain, such as the ears, sinus or throat. Microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause meningitis. The treatment of the disease may change depending on the type of microbe. Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that can result in hearing loss, brain damage and death, especially when not treated at an early stage.
Types of Meningitis
There are mainly two types of meningitis: Bacterial and Viral.
Bacterial Meningitis
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis develop suddenly. These may include:
- Altered Mental Status
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Anger
- Headache
- Fever
If you, or your kid, experience these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. You cannot understand yourself whether you have bacterial or viral meningitis. Your doctor should perform tests to determine the type. People of any age can get bacterial meningitis, but the possibility of getting bacterial meningitis is high in babies. Recurrent bacterial meningitis is possible but rare. According to the studies, bacterial meningitis occurs again in 59 percent of people with anatomical defects and 36 percent of people having a weakened immune system.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is less severe. Most people recover completely without treatment. Symptoms of viral and bacterial meningitis may initially be similar. However, symptoms of bacterial meningitis are usually more severe. Symptoms also vary according to your age.
Symptoms in babies; loss of appetite, anger, feeling abnormally sleepy, fever.
Symptoms in adults; headache, fever, drowsiness, nausea, decrease in appetite, seizures, light sensitivity, stiff neck.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Early meningitis symptoms can be similar to the flu. Symptoms of meningitis occur within a few hours or days. The most common symptoms of meningitis are:
- High fever
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Eclampsia
- Neck stiffness
- Difficult in concentration
Symptoms in newborn babies:
- High fever
- Nonstop crying
- Drowsiness,
- Loss of appetite
- Stiff neck
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How is meningitis diagnosed and treated?
Patients with symptoms that we mentioned above are hospitalized and their cerebrospinal fluid is taken. The diagnosis is confirmed by examining the fluid. Computed tomography can be performed to see if there is brain damage. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial meningitis. Some viral meningitis heals spontaneously, while others require antiviral treatment.
