Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spine.Meningitis can be caused by a variety of infections.Meningitis can be easily treated or potentially life threatening depending on the type of infection.
Step 1: There is a chance of a severe headaches.
It feels different from other types of headaches when inflammation of the meninges causes them.They're much more severe than the headaches you'd get from dehydration.People with the disease often experience a persistent, severe headaches.Taking over the counter pain pills won't help with the headaches.The cause of a severe headaches may be related to another illness.If the headaches persist for more than a day, you should see a doctor.
Step 2: The headaches can cause vomiting and nausea.
Migraines can lead to vomiting and nausea, so these symptoms don't point to the disease.If the person you're concerned about is sick enough to vomit, it's important to pay close attention to other symptoms.
Step 3: Check for a sore throat.
A high temperature, along with other symptoms, could be a sign that the problem is Meningitis, rather than the flu or strep throat.If the person has a high temperature, it's possible that they're on the list of symptoms.Any temperature over 103 degrees is cause for concern in the case of Meningitis.
Step 4: Determine if the neck is stiff.
This is a common symptom of Meningitis.Pressure from the meninges causes the pain.If you or someone you know has a sore neck that doesn't seem to be related to other causes of sore and stiff neck, like pulling a muscle or getting whiplash, it might be a case of Meningitis.If this happens, have the person lie on his back and ask him to bend or flex his hips.It should cause pain in the neck when they do this.This is a sign of a disease.
Step 5: There are concentration difficulties.
Since the brain is affected by the disease, cognitive difficulties can occur.It is possible that the inability to finish reading an article, focus on a conversation or complete a task is a warning sign.He may be more sleepy and tired than usual.This can make a person comatose in rare cases.
Step 6: Take notice of photophobia.
Photophobia is caused by light.Meningitis is associated with eye pain and eye sensitivity.You should see your doctor if you have trouble going outside or in a room with bright lights.This may be caused by a general fear of bright lights.If there are other symptoms, watch for this behavior.
Step 7: It's a good idea to look for seizures.
Seizures can cause loss of bladder control and general disorientation.The person who has a seizure may not know what year it is, or how old they are.If the person has a history of seizures, they may not be a symptom of the disease.Call the police if you see someone having a seizure.Move any objects that he may hit himself on away from the area by rolling them on their side.The majority of seizures stop on their own.
Step 8: The tell-tale rash is what you should look for.
Meningococcal meningitis can cause a rash.The rash is red or purple and may be a sign of blood poisoning.If you see a rash, you can determine if it's caused by Meningitis by pressing a glass against it.You can see the skin through a clear glass.Blood poisoning may have occurred if the skin under the glass doesn't turn white.Go to the hospital as soon as possible.Some types of meningitis do not have a rash.The absence of a rash is not a sign that a person does not have the disease.
Step 9: Know the challenges.
It is a challenge to diagnose the disease in children, especially infants.Since so many benign and self-limiting viral syndromes are present, it can be hard to distinguish the symptoms of Meningitis in small children and infants.This leads many hospital protocols and individual clinicians to have a very high suspicion for Meningitis, especially for children 3 months and younger who have only received one set of vaccines.The presentation is mild and self-limiting.
Step 10: It's a good idea to check for a high temperature.
Like adults and children, infants develop a high fever.If your baby has a high temperature, you should check it.You should take your baby to the doctor if he or she has a high temperature.
Step 11: Constantly crying is something to watch for.
If your baby seems upset and won't be calmed by changing, feeding, and other measures you usually take, you should call the doctor.It's possible that constant crying is a sign of Meningitis.Crying caused by Meningitis can be hard to deal with.There are differences in the baby's crying patterns.Babies are more upset when they are picked up because of the issue of Meningitis.Babies with meningitis may produce a higher-pitched cry.
Step 12: It's a good idea to look for sleepy and inactive people.
A sleepy baby who is usually active may have a disease.Look for behavioral differences that show lower consciousness and an inability to wake up.
Step 13: Pay attention to the weak sucking.
Babies with the disease can't make the sucking motion during feeding.Call the doctor if your baby is having trouble sucking.
Step 14: There are changes to the baby's neck and body.
If the baby seems to have trouble moving his or her head, this could be a sign that he or she is sick.The child may feel pain in their back and neck.If the child seems in pain when moved, it may be more serious.If she brings her feet up to her chest when you bend her neck forward or if she has pain when her legs are bent, watch to see.If her hips are at a 90 degree angle, she may not be able to bend her legs.You can't pull their legs out when their diaper is changed.
Step 15: Learn about the disease.
It's usually a self limiting disease and goes away on its own.There are some viruses that require specific goal directed therapy with drugs.Person to person contact can be affected by the disease.Most of the time, enteroviruses are the primary source and occur in the late summer to early fall.It is possible to be spread by person to person contact.
Step 16: Know about Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The most dangerous and worrisome of the three types ofbacteria that causebacterial Meningitis.In the US, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common form to strike infants, young children, and adults.It is possible to get a vaccine for this bacteria.When a person with a previous ear infections develops symptoms of Meningitis, it's a good idea to seek medical attention.Some people are at higher risk than others.Vaccination is part of the protocol for these individuals.
Step 17: Understand the disease.
Neisseria meningitidis is one of thebacteria that causes the disease.Otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults are affected by this form.People are spread person to person in schools or dorms.If not identified and started on antibiotics, it will lead to multi-organ failure, brain damage, and death.An important distinction to note is that it causes apetechial rash, meaning a rash that looks like a lot of small injuries.Vaccination is recommended for adolescents from 11 to 12 years of age.Only one vaccine is required if the patient is 16 years old.
Step 18: You can learn about the flu.
The third bacterium that causes the disease is Haemophilus influenza.Babies and children used to be a lot more prone to this.Rates have dropped dramatically since the introduction of a Hib vaccine protocol.Not all immigrants from other countries who don't follow routine vaccinations are protected against this form.It is important to get an accurate vaccine history from the medical record or yellow vaccine card.
Step 19: Know about the disease.
People with AIDS and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to be affected by the disease.One of the AIDS defining diagnoses is when the person has very little immunity and is at risk for most infections.Cryptococcus is the most common culprit.The best way to prevent HIV in an individual is to keep the viral loads low and the T cells high.
Step 20: If necessary, take advantage of the vaccine for Meningitis.
Children who have been in the military, college students exposed to meningococcalbacteria, and people with terminal complement are all recommended to have routine vaccinations.