Meningitis Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
This article explains a few things about meningitis, and if you're interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don't know.
Meningitis is a rare disease, our brains have what is called a blood brain barrier that protects are brain for contamination by the blood. However, some infections can trick the barrier, which then decreases its ability to work properly.
Meningitis can be caused from a direct spread of a severe infection such as an ear infection or sinus infection. In some cases, meningitis is noted after head trauma or an injury to the head or brain. There are several causes of meningitis. These include Bacterial infection,
Viral infection, Fungal infection, A reaction to medications, A reaction to medical treatments, Lupus, Some forms of cancer, A trauma to the head or back. Anyone can catch meningitis. This is especially true if your immune system is weak.
Meningitis often begins like the flu does. The major meningitis symptoms include a severe headache that will not go away, stiffness in the neck, stiffness in the upper back, pain in one or both eyes, or an aversion to light, nausea, or the feeling of an upset stomach, vomiting, achy body, fever, sleepy feeling, or the feeling that you just cannot wake up completely, confusion, or a feeling of just not being with it.
Viral meningitis is the most common form. Usually viruses that enter your body through your mouth before going to your brain and multiplying cause it. You can find these viruses in the mucus, saliva and feces. Other viruses that may cause meningitis include: Chickenpox , Flu, Mumps, HIV ,Genital herpes.
Bacterial meningitis is caused from different types of bacteria and viral meningitis can be from a complication of chickenpox. Today, most children are now vaccinated against
chickenpox therefore this can rule out this type of meningitis in most cases.
If your meningitis facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important meningitis information slip by you.
Bacterial meningitis must be treated quickly. Severe bacterial meningitis will require intravenous antibiotics. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral meningitis because they do not kill viruses. The best prevention against meningitis is to, of course, be vaccinated if at all possible.
Treatment for Meningitis Tips
1. Acute bacterial meningitis requires prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
2. Pneumovax (also known as Prevenar) against Streptococcus pneumoniae is recommended for all people 65 years of age or older.
3. Drugs such as dexamethasone are sometimes given to reduce inflammation or to reduce the chance, or spread, of septicemia.
4. Antifungals to combat the infection are usually administered, as well as fluids and
medicine to control pain and fever.
Those who only know one or two facts about meningitis can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here. All information about Meningitis on this article is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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