How did you feel with meningitis?

How did you feel with meningitis?

The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.

What happens to the brain when you have meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain. This can cause life-threatening problems. Meningitis symptoms strike suddenly and worsen quickly.

What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis?

Several strains of bacteria can cause acute bacterial meningitis, most commonly: Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). This bacterium is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants, young children and adults in the United States. It more commonly causes pneumonia or ear or sinus infections.

What are the main causes of meningitis?

Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

• meningococcal bacteria – there are several different types, called A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z.
• pneumococcal bacteria.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria.
• enteroviruses – viruses that usually only cause a mild stomach infection.
• the mumps virus.

What are the 3 types of meningitis?

The three types of meningitis are viral meningitis, fungal meningitis, and bacterial meningitis. The meninges are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis occurs when these membranes become inflamed, potentially causing serious complications for the nervous system.

How painful is meningitis?

One of the most common symptoms of meningitis is a severe headache. The inflammation that occurs near the brain and spinal cord can result in significant pain. This headache may be mistaken for a migraine. A fever is the body’s way of trying to fight a foreign invader, such as a virus or bacteria.

Does meningitis go away?

It often goes away on its own and usually does not cause permanent damage or disability. It’s most prevalent in the spring and summer because that’s when the enterovirus, one of the most common causes of meningitis, tends to be circulating in communities. It’s not always easy to make a meningitis diagnosis.

Who is generally at highest risk for meningitis Why?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but rates of disease are highest in children younger than 1 year old, with a second peak in adolescence. Among teens and young adults, those 16 through 23 years old have the highest rates of meningococcal disease.

How is meningitis detected?

For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you’ll need a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.

How serious is meningitis?

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. A number of vaccinations are available that offer some protection against meningitis.

What is the deadliest form of meningitis?

There are three basic kinds of meningitis: viral, bacterial, and fungal. Of these three, viral meningitis is the most common, but bacterial is the most dangerous.

Can a person survive meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

Meningitis is a serious disease that can be life-threatening and result in permanent complications, such as coma, shock, and death. Acute meningitis caused by a bacteria is called acute bacterial meningitis and develops very quickly in a matter of hours or days.

What is meningitis and can it be prevented?

Bacterial meningitis is one of the most dangerous infections in children. Meningitis can be swift and deadly. It can also lead to chronic disability. The fear of meningitis often haunts parents. Thankfully, most cases of bacterial meningitis can now be prevented.

What are common symptoms of meningitis?

The most common symptoms of either form of meningitis include: Fever. Severe and persistent headache. Stiff and painful neck, especially when trying to touch the chin to the chest. Vomiting. Confusion and decreased level of consciousness.

What does meningitis refer to?

Meningitis refers to inflammation of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. It is primarily caused by bacterial or viral infections. It can harm or destroy nerve cells and cause bleeding in the brain.