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These include being a certain age , and over 65 , living environment, exposure to passive smoking, mass gatherings and immune system problems. Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together. Be aware of all the signs and symptoms.
There are many different causes of meningitis, but the two most common organisms are viruses and bacteria. Meningitis can strike quickly, but its impact can last a lifetime. What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis? The most common symptoms of bacterial meningitis are: Painful, stiff neck with limited range of motion Headaches High fever Feeling confused or sleepy Bruising easily all over the body A rash on the skin Sensitivity to light These are symptoms to look for in children: Irritability Vomiting from a high fever Frequent crying Swelling of the head Lack of appetite Seizures sometimes also seen in adults if the meningitis is advanced Symptoms typically come on quickly, in as little as a couple of hours or up to a day or two.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed? Other tests may include: Brain imaging CT scan Blood and urine testing Swab of fluids from your nose or throat How is bacterial meningitis treated?
What are the complications of bacterial meningitis? Can bacterial meningitis be prevented? Key points about bacterial meningitis If you feel like you've got the flu with unusual stiffness in your neck, it could be meningitis. Get any symptoms checked out and treated as soon as possible to help ward off complications. Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines that may protect you from bacterial meningitis.
Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Bacterial meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bartt R. Acute bacterial and viral meningitis. Continuum Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Viral meningitis. Fungal meningitis. Derber CJ, et al. Head and neck emergencies: Bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, upper airway obstruction, and jugular septic thrombophlebitis.
Medical Clinics of North America. Longo DL, et al. Acute meningitis. In: Harrison's Principals of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill; Acute bacterial meningitis. Merck Manual Professional Version. Prevention — Listeriosis. Subacute and chronic meningitis. Van de Beek D, et al. Advances in treatment of bacterial meningitis. The Lancet. Recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger, United States, Recommended adult immunization schedule for adults aged 19 or older, United States, Meningococcal vaccination: What everyone should know.
Sexton D. Instead, babies may. Typically, symptoms of bacterial meningitis develop within 3 to 7 days after exposure; note, this is not true for TB meningitis, which can develop much later after exposure to the bacteria. People with bacterial meningitis can have seizures, go into a coma, and even die. For this reason, anyone who thinks they may have meningitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If a doctor suspects meningitis, they will collect samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid fluid near the spinal cord. A laboratory will test the samples to see what is causing the infection. Knowing the specific cause of meningitis helps doctors treat it. Doctors treat bacterial meningitis with a number of antibiotics.
It is important to start treatment as soon as possible. Vaccines are the most effective way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are vaccines for 4 types of bacteria that can cause meningitis:. Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule.
The vaccines also do not protect against infections from all the types strains of each of these bacteria. For these reasons, there is still a chance vaccinated people can develop bacterial meningitis. When someone has bacterial meningitis, a doctor may recommend antibiotics to help prevent people around the patient from getting sick.
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