Symptoms, Causes And Diagnosis Of Meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the protective membrane) which envelop the brain and spinal cord. When inflamed, the meninges to swell because of infections that occur. The nervous system and the brain can be damaged in some cases. Three symptoms of meningitis should look out for are fever, headache, and neck feels stiff.
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Symptoms, Causes And Diagnosis Of Meningitis |
Symptoms Of Meningitis
Cases of meningitis should be treated as soon as possible because it is considered asan emergency medical condition. Meningitis can cause septikema and this could culminate in death.
Symptoms of Meningitis Bakterialis in teens and adults
If you are suspected of having meningitis bakterialis, you should immediately contact the nearest hospital or immediately to a hospital as soon as possible. There are early signs that you may see before other symptoms appear. Meningitis bakterialis have symptoms that appear suddenly and could deteriorate quickly.
In case of high fever accompanied by initial indication below, please immediately contact your doctor or nearest hospital get straight. Again, this is an emergency medical condition. Signs of the beginning is:
- Pain in muscles and joints, for example on the hands and feet
- Hands and feet will be cold or even chills
- Skin pale or red spots appear scattered
- Lips look blue
Early symptoms of meningitis bakterialis very common and similar to other diseases, including fever, severe headache, feel bad, nausea, vomiting.
A fever means body temperature reaching 38 ° Celsius or more, it can occur in adults and children. The sign of a fever is another face will feel hot when touched and the skin will look flushed.
When meningitis bakterialis increase of severe, this condition may cause some thing like this:
- Rapid breathing
- Confused
- Sleepy
- Stiff neck, although this rarely occurs in young children
- Bright red rash that does not fade or change color when the glass is pressed on top of that rash. But these symptoms are not always present on each person
- Sensitivity to light (photo phobia), this rarely occurs in young children
- Seizures
Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms in sufferers of meningitis can be different.Most are only experiencing most of the symptoms above.
Symptoms of Bakterialis Meningitis In young children and infants
Young children and babies have symptoms of meningitis bakterialis different. There is the possibility of swelling on the Cantle on most babies who contracted meningitis.Symptoms that may occur include:
- Continuous crying without reason
- Irritable and does not want in his arms
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Appearing pale and red spots
- Very sleepy and not want to wake up
- Lunglai and unresponsive. The movement of the rigid and broken
- Blank stares
The Symptoms Of Viral Meningitis
Mild flu symptoms will appear on most people who contracted meningitis virus such as a fever, headache, and feeling unwell.
Viral meningitis is usually not continued into septicemia or blood infection, unlike the case with meningitis a potentially bakterialis complications. But in more severe cases,the symptoms of viral meningitis can be:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Sore muscles or joints
- The eyes become sensitive to light (photo phobia)
Causes Of Meningitis
Someone affected by meningitis occurs when inflammation of the meninges that serves as a protector of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is caused by two main microorganisms, namely, bacteria and viruses.
Meningitis Bacteria
There are a number of known bacteria can cause meningitis, for example:
- Neisseria meningitidis – known as Neisseria meningitidis bacteria
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), Escherichia coli (e. coli), listeria and TUBERCULOSIS – a type of bacteria that cause meningitis more rare
Neisseria meningitidis is the most common cause of meningitis bakterialis. These bacteria live in the nose and throat without causing infection. But, there are times where these bacteria can fight and defeats the human immune system resulting in meningitis.
In General, adults have immunity against Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria cannot live for long outside the human body. These bacteria are usually spread through direct contact or close range, for example through coughing, sneezing, or kissing.
Streptococcus pneumoniae can also live in the nose and throat of humans without causing infection. But when the human immune system is down, these bacteria can invade and cause meningitis. These bacteria often cause meningitis in infants, namely at a time when the immune system is not yet fully developed.
Meningitis Due To Virus
The virus can get into the human body and move towards protective membranes or the meninges of the brain and spinal cord. When it has reached the meninges, the virus can cause pneumonia or meningitis.
The following are some examples of known viruses can cause meningitis:
- Enteroviruses: usually cause infections of the stomach
- Herpes simplex virus: causes genital herpes
- Chicken pox virus
- Measles virus
- Influenza viruses
The Diagnosis Of Meningitis
Because they appear suddenly and symptoms are similar to flu, meningitis hard to diagnosed. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is done based on family health history, physical tests, and some of the other diagnostic tests.
Test Test Meningitis due to Bakterialis or viruses
Meningitis is a very serious disease, so for a small child could recover fully, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. To determine whether meningitis is caused by bacteria or viruses, clinical tests need to be done. Diagnosis impossible based solely on symptoms. Meningitis is potentially lethal because it could turn into Septicemia(blood infection) because it was meningitis should be treated as an emergency medical condition.
Medical Aid
Contact your doctor immediately or go directly to the nearest hospital if you suspect meningitis from the symptoms that exist, especially those that appear in children.
Whenever symptoms occur, you should immediately towards the IGD (Emergency Installation) in a nearby hospital. Meningitis is a serious and critical condition, so be sure the handling going as soon as possible. Don't wait for the purple rash to appear.Not all sufferers of meningitis will have this symptom. If you are unsure, it is better to immediately contact your doctor or come directly to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Ways to Ensure the Diagnosis
The doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of meningitis and septicemiaor blood infection, such as rashes. The diagnosis will also be ascertained through tests,among other things:
- Blood tests. Done to look for bacteria or viruses that cause meningitis.
- Lumbar lumbar puncture or function. A sample of the cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the base of the spine and examined whether there is a bacteria or virus.
- Chest x-ray scan. To look for signs of infection.
- CT scan
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