What is it?
Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can cause stroke, hearing loss, and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Pneumococcal infections and meningococcal infections are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis. Anybody can get meningitis but is more common in people with weak immune system. It is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. 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.
What are the symptoms?
Infants:
- Decreased appetite.
- Irritability.
- Sleepiness.
- Lethargy.
- Fever.
- Increased heart rate.
Adults:
- Headaches.
- Fever.
- Stiff neck.
- Seizures.
- Sensitivity to bright light.
- Sleepiness.
- Lethargy.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Decreased appetite.
What to expect?
If you are diagnosed with meningitis, you can consider discussing the following subjects with your doctor after the initial treatment:
- Was there a specific cause found?
- Patients with meningitis are admitted in a hospital for further management. What treatment options do you have?
- After successful treatment, what preventive measures can you do to ensure that you would not contract the condition in the future?