Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively known as the meningitis. More often people refer to it as spinal meningitis. It usually develops due to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Some other reasons include physical injury, cancer or certain drugs. It is necessary to know the exact cause of meningitis, because the severity of illness and the treatment to be offer will be based on that. Usually viral meningitis is less severe and heals without specific treatment.
On the other hand, bacterial meningitis can be quite severe in degree and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability. Thus, for bacterial meningitis, it is important to know the type of bacteria causing it. Following this, antibiotics are given to the patient, to prevent the spreading of infection to other people. Though meningitis can be healed, it can be fatal at times, owing to the proximity of the inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. Thus, it is important to known the signs and symptoms of meningitis, to catch it in the early stages only.
Signs & Symptoms of Meningitis
- High Fever
- Severe and persistent headache, aggravated with shaking of the head
- Stiff and painful neck, particularly when trying to touch chin to the chest
- Vomiting
- Confusion and decreased level of consciousness
- Seizures
- Sluggishness, muscle aches and weakness
- Strange feelings, such as tingling or weakness, throughout the body
- Eye sensitivity and eye pain, making it uneasy to see bright lights
- Skin rash, which can be small red or orange or even bruise like
- Dizzy spells
Symptoms in Infants and Young Children
- Crying in a high-pitched tone
- Facing problem in waking
- Very lethargic when awake
- Fussiness when being held or cuddled
- Arching the back and retracting the neck
- Staring blankly at the surroundings
- Having high fever, with cold hands and feet
- Poor diet
- Vomiting
- Looking pale or blotchy
