Meningitis is an infection of the meninges a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord caused by any. Meningitis and septicaemia higher risk for young children. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis pam is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. Viral causes of meningitis include herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, enterovirus. Early symptoms of meningitis in adults and children can include. Invasive meningococcal disease most commonly presents as meningitis, meningococcemia, or both. How can meningococcal disease be i ns tu d iem or ag h fcy.
However, the kind of meningitis we are seeing in the five college. Human body diagrams how to derive an image derive directly from raster image with organs. Paresthesia feeling of pins and needles in the legs meningitis infection of the covering of the spinal cord andor brain. Bacterial meningitis and swine flu the differences between the symptoms at this time of year, flu is becoming more common and, even with swine flu, is usually not a severe disease. Since viral and bacterial meningitis often have similar symptoms, it is. Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cordalso called the meninges. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Signs and symptoms of viral meningitis may include stiff neck, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. The parasite enters the body through the nose and is caused by the microscopic ameba a singlecelled living organism naegleria fowleri. Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include acute onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status. Symptoms of meningitis meningitis research foundation. Meningitis powerpoint 2009 warren hills regional school.
Signs and symptoms of illness meningococcal disease can progress quickly. These symptoms may quickly progress to unconsciousness, convulsions and death. Older children and adults may experience severe headache, fever, stiff neck and vomiting. Meningitis occurs when the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. However, the symptoms of meningitis can superficially resemble those of flu, so beware. Bacterial meningitis texas law senate bill sb 31 requires every public school district to provide parents with information about meningitis. Pdf diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and sneezing may be associated with infection with enteroviruses. Can develop over several hours or take up to 1 to 2 days other symptoms.
This includes rest, fluids, and feverreducing medicine. Epidemiological data are presented concerning rates of infection and mortality. Other signs of meningitis include protein levels that are higher than normal, and glucose levels that are lower than normal. The most common signs and symptoms of meningitis in the neonate population are poor feeding, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and lethargy, which are nonspecific constitutional symptoms. Meningitis diagnostics use cases world health organization. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes meninges surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness are the hallmark symptoms of meningitis. Symptoms of meningococcal disease may appear suddenly. Symptoms may appear 3 to 7 days after exposure and can appear quickly or over several days. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are very important. Signs and symptoms of viral meningitis may include stiff neck, headache, nausea.
For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Some people can be infected with the bacteria and have no symptoms at all. In some infants, the only signs of meningitis may be crankiness or. Although anyone can develop appendicitis, most often it occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and can be deadly. The following are now uncommon causes of bacterial meningitis in canada.
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis include a sudden fever, headache, and stiff neck. Meningitis in children symptoms, warning signs, treatment. What should you know about meningitis warning signs. If someone develops signs or symptoms of meningitis, or think they have been exposed, heshe should see their doctor or go to an emergency room immediately for evaluation. In general, there are no medications to fight the germs that cause viral meningitis, so treatment is usually aimed at easing the symptoms. The main symptoms to look out for are fever, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and drowsiness or altered consciousness. Meningitis viral meningitis should be excluded from. A definition of the disease is given, and viral and bacterial meningitis are discussed. Most common bacterial causes of meningitis in the united states are. Viral meningitis symptoms may also come on quickly or over several days. Despite breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination, in 2015. Code he2417 dont wait take action there are different types of meningococcal disease.
Later symptoms that may occur are nausea, vomiting, confusion, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Pdf bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, including the pia, arachnoid, and. Most cases of meningitis in the united states are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes. Early signs of illness are similar to those of other common illnesses and may be hard to recognize. If the infection or resulting inflammation progresses past the membranes of the brain or the spinal cord, then the process is called encephalitis inflammation of the brain. People often confuse the early signs and symptoms of meningitis with the flu. The standard required quadrivalent vaccine for meningitis only cover 4 strains of infectiona,c,w,y, brand names menactra and menveo. Meningitis symptoms in children meningitis research.
Nov 05, 2018 normally, meningitis causes fever, lethargy, and a decreased mental status problems thinking, but these symptoms are often hard to detect in young children. Viral vs bacterial meningitis middlesexlondon health unit. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. Young children with meningitis show symptoms of unusual irritability, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and excessive, loud crying. Instead, babies may be slow or inactive, irritable, vomiting, feeding poorly, or have a bulging in the soft spot of the skull anterior fontanelle. Symptoms occur suddenly and worsen dramatically over hours or days. High fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and a rash are symptoms of meningococcal disease.
Bacterial meningitis can spread by direct person to person contact with the nasal discharge or saliva of an infected person through kissing. What signs and symptoms distinguish meningitis from encephalitis. Viral vs bacterial meningitis fact sheet pdf 80kb view, download and print the viral vs bacterial meningitis fact sheet. More information may be found in the mdph documents meningococcal disease and college. It can take two to 10 days to feel ill after exposure to meningococcal bacteria. Changes in behavior such as confusion, sleepiness, and trouble waking up can also be important symptoms. This inflammation is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. In the early stages, there may not be a rash, or the rash may fade on pressure. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity of the eyes to bright lights, and confusion. Newborns and babies may not have or it may be difficult to notice the classic symptoms listed above. Jun 14, 2016 other signs of meningitis include protein levels that are higher than normal, and glucose levels that are lower than normal. High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. Bacterial meningitis this fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to.
Early symptoms can include headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet, stiff neck, light sensitivity, and confusion. Noticing the illness early can prevent serious disability and even death. Pdf diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis researchgate. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. Treatment an antibiotic medication is the primary treatment for meningitis. Older children may be able to complain of more specific symptoms like headache or that the light hurts their eyes. Meningococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are often similar to less serious illnesses. May 24, 2019 appendicitis causes pain in your lower right abdomen. Fever, headache, neck stiffness, and any change in a persons thinking for example, unusually sleepy, acting goofy, talking nonsense together suggest meningitis.
Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and sneezing may be associated. Many different kinds of viruses and bacteria germs can cause meningitis. The condition is difficult to diagnose because initial symptoms are similar to those of a bad cold or influenza the flu. Meningitis can strike quickly and without warning, with symptoms that can be similar to flu. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, including the pia, arachnoid, and subarachnoid space, that occurs in response to infection with bacteria and or bacterial products. In the us, about 1,0001,200 people get meningococcal disease each. What are the common signs and symptoms of meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation and infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. You should get medical help immediately if youre concerned about yourself or your child. Trust your instincts and do not wait until a rash develops. In young children, doctors may also look at the childs reflexes for signs of meningitis. This is normally caused by infection but can also have non. Jul 18, 2014 the warning signs of meningitis meningitis can come on quickly and be lifethreatening, but its symptoms often get confused with those of the flu.
Meningococcal disease is very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours. However, in most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves. In babies, the symptoms include fever, fussiness, refusal to. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and usually occurs in late spring and summer.
As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe. In newborns and infants, fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect. Fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and rash can all be signs of meningitis. In fact, meningitis may come on the heels of a flulike illness or infection. Symptoms are caused by the swelling that occurs in the meninges, and include a combination of sudden. Signs and symptoms of meningitis common symptoms over the age of 2 years old high fever, headache, and stiff neck. Viral aseptic meningitis is a serious, but not usually fatal with people with healthy immune systems. For bacterial meningitis, hospitalization and early treatment with antibiotics is the key to saving lives. People can still get meningococcal disease even if they have been immunised against one type of meningococcal disease. The common symptoms of meningitis in infants and young children may be very nonspecific. Since the causative agent is a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Below is a brief summary of how these conditions can be differentiated. Information about meningococcal disease, meningococcal. Meningitis about bacterial meningitis infection cdc.
Symptoms can be similar to those of the common flu and can develop quickly, over a matter of hours. Because meningitis can be so serious, seeking immediate medical care is essential if one experiences the symptoms described above and think that meningitis could be the cause. Meningococcal meningitis symptoms and treatment meningitis is a serious disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the meninges the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal meningitis symptoms and treatment southern. Meningitis can be hard to recognise in the early stages. Early signs of meningitis vary, depending on the type of virus, but may include sudden fever, intense headache, nausea and vomiting, and stiff neck.
Many present with a recent history of urti, some with apnea, cyanosis, and respiratory distress. The signs and symptoms are outlined and the mode of transmission and the treatment needed are also considered. Clinical signs and symptoms are unreliable in distinguishing bacterial meningitis from the more common forms of aseptic meningitis. Persons with bacterial meningitis should be excluded from workschool until appropriate antibiotic treatment. Home treatment includes taking medicine for fever and pain and drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated. Know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicemia look out for your friends and fellow students the glass test press the side of a glass firmly against the rash so you can see if it fades under pressure. Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can save your life. Fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and rash can all be signs of meningococcal disease. In fact, meningitis may come on the heels of a flulike illness or. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, including the pia, arachnoid, and subarachnoid space, that occurs in response to infection with bacteria andor bacterial products. Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours know the symptoms. Patients with viral meningitis complain of fever, headache, stiff.
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