{"id":3130,"date":"2019-01-09T07:47:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T07:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=3130"},"modified":"2021-08-09T01:43:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T01:43:02","slug":"10-deadly-meningitis-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/10-deadly-meningitis-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Deadly Meningitis Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chances are when you hear the term meningitis you become a little bit worried. After all, you already know that this disease can be deadly. Meningitis is caused by the protective membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain becoming infected. This inflammation is often triggered by an infection in the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain. At times the symptoms of meningitis will clear up on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some forms can kill a person in just a few days. It depends greatly on the type of meningitis a person develops. Fungal meningitis is different as it is not contagious, unlike the viral and bacteria types that can spread easily. When it comes to meningitis there are several facts that you should know about the disease. Here are 10 facts about meningitis and its symptoms so that you know what to look for when it comes to this complex disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever can be a sign of many different types of illnesses. It could be you are simply infected with a common cold virus or even the flu. Your body simply may be fighting off some bacteria<\/a> or a virus that has entered the body. Just like any type of infection that becomes serious, meningitis will often result in your temperature going out. Meningitis affects the immune system, which is why a fever develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to having a fever, if meningitis is the cause you may also start to notice that your hands and your feet are extremely cold. At times you may even get chills to go along with a fever. As mentioned, a fever is not typically a cause for too much concern as it can be the sign of a number of different ailments. However, if your fever is high and you have some of the other symptoms on this list, it is a good idea to be tested for meningitis by your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once again, it is common for people to experience headaches from time to time. In fact, often times a headache <\/a>is in combination with a fever. Even if the headache does not result in a fever, this symptom is very common and may be the result of any number of different ailments. People who have meningitis will often experience severe headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These headaches are quite awful and do not seem to go away no matter what a person may do. This symptom of meningitis is linked to the fact that the meninges have become inflamed. These meninges cover the brain and when they become inflamed because of the disease it can cause a person to have a severe headache. Once again, just because you have a headache does not automatically mean that you have meningitis. However, if you have some of the other symptoms on this list it is a good idea to get checked by your physician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Stiffness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis <\/a>not only causes inflammation of the meninges of the brain, but it also spurs inflammation in the spinal cord. This can cause the back and the neck to become quite stiff and very sore. This swelling of the membranes that will cause discomfort and stiffness. If you are experiencing muscle stiffness in the neck and the back along with a headache and a fever, you may have a type of meningitis and it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will be able to provide a test that will either confirm or rule out meningitis as a cause for your ailments. There are many types of meningitis ranging from mild to possibly fatal. If you let meningitis go untreated and unchecked there can be many severe complications that may occur. This is why it is important to know the signs and symptoms and get checked out as soon as possible if you have any of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Confusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since meningitis is a disease that can cause swelling in the brain, it is only logical that it can be quite dangerous. One of the symptoms <\/a>to watch for when it comes to meningitis is confusion. A person who is suffering from meningitis may suffer from memory loss, insomnia, lack of focus, lethargy, and may struggle to wake up. If you experience sudden confusion in combination with some of the other symptoms on this list it is important to seek medical attention right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because in severe cases of meningitis, especially meningitis caused by bacteria, the symptoms of the disease can get worse quite quickly and if they are not treated properly can lead to permanent damage to the brain and other areas of the body. Confusion may present in several ways including not being able to determine what is real and what is a dream, forgetting milestones, not knowing where you are, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Sensitivity to Light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person that has meningitis may experience extreme sensitivity to light. This is called photophobia. This sensitivity to light may result in eye pain, squinting, and difficulty seeing in bright lights or sunlight. This can result in headaches that are migraine-like. Many of the symptoms of meningitis will come on quickly, often within just a few hours of being exposed to the fungi<\/a>, bacteria, or virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it takes one or two days for the symptoms to appear. Sensitivity to light is considered to be one of the earlier signs of meningitis. This means that if you suddenly develop a sensitivity to light you need to consider some of the other signs and symptoms of the disease it is important to get to your doctor right away. You want to catch this disease as soon as possible before things become worse. Early treatment is extremely important when it comes to any type of meningitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nausea<\/a> and vomiting are symptoms of a lot of different illnesses. In fact, these symptoms could be caused by a simple stomach bug. However, nausea and vomiting are also a symptom of meningitis. This symptom will often occur during the early stages of the disease. As the infection starts to progress, severe stomach upset may occur. This can cause a patient to lose their appetite and to start losing weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extreme weight loss may occur depending on how severe the infection is. This can cause other health issues to arise. When you are feeling sick to your stomach you are not going to want to eat. This can cause a loss of important minerals, nutrients, and vitamins as you are not providing your body with these through food consumption. When your body is not getting what it needs, it can spiral into many health issues, worsening the effects of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Often the meningococcal meningitis infection <\/a>can cause a skin rash to develop. This is especially common in young babies and toddlers. The rash may appear from the bacteria that are multiplying throughout the bloodstream. As the bacteria spread it releases poison that starts to damage the blood vessels. This can result in what looks like rashes all across the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to test a rash to see if it is caused by meningitis is called the glass test. Simply take a clear drinking glass and press it against one of the rashes. Pay attention to the marks of the rash. If the marks remain the same and you can see them through the glass you need to seek out medical attention immediately. If the rash is caused by a skin irritation they will fade when the glass is applied. This is an easy way to test a rash at home before heading out for medical care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Irritability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The stiffness<\/a>, fever, and overall discomfort that is caused by meningitis make normal activities even simply sleeping uncomfortable. No matter how old or young a person with meningitis is, it may be difficult to comfort them. In addition, they may become extremely irritable. It is hard to cope with even the milder symptoms of this disease. This can take an extreme toll on a person\u2019s mental and emotional health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most cases of meningitis are healed within just a couple of weeks, some severe cases can go on for several months. Symptoms can be severe enough to simply keep the patient in bed. Hospitalization for weeks or even months at a time can happen in the most extreme cases. Irritability may be accompanied by confusion, which is another symptom of the disease. Difficulty thinking clearly can also lead to becoming more irritable, with every reason as this disease takes a toll on the body and the mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Loss of Appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, meningitis can cause a person to become nauseous. Often times, people mistake this symptom of stomach <\/a>upset with the flu. Unfortunately, many cases of meningitis are not caught very early because a lot of the symptoms mimic that of the stomach flu. While eating may seem like a struggle when you are not feeling well, it is important to at least try to eat when you have meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food is important when it comes to providing sustenance for the body and when your body is fighting off disease such as meningitis it is going to need all of the help that it can get. This loss of appetite can lead to dehydration and other health concerns if it goes on for too long. If you have lost a bunch of weight and have any of the other symptoms on this list, see your doctor right away to begin some form of treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Seizures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, meningitis may cause a person to develop seizures<\/a> along with an extremely high fever. If the toxic bacteria enters the fluid that is surrounding the brain, it can cause pressure. When this happens a person may experience a seizure. Bacterial meningitis is often the cause of seizures. People with viral meningitis typically do not have to worry about this symptom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some seizures that are so severe that they can lead to a disability or even death. However, there are treatments available that can help to prevent you from having seizures. Since meningitis may cause the levels of sodium in the body to drop, an IV of saline can help maintain the sodium levels in the body, which can possibly prevent seizures from occurring. A quiet room and resting or anticonvulsant medications can also help control seizures that are caused by meningitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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