Meninges are three layers that surround your brain and spinal cord for protection. The inflammation of meninges due to any reason is called meningitis. It can occur due to:
Some medicines
Bacterial infection
Viral infection
Protozoal infection
Fungal infection
Exposure to certain chemicals
Autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus
Cancers
Meningitis is a life-threatening condition that needs prompt attention. Do not delay your visit to the healthcare provider if you are having any of the symptoms mentioned below. If you or anyone in your family is diagnosed with meningitis, do not delay and visit the general physician in Lahore as soon as possible.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Meningitis?
The sign and symptoms of meningitis are:
Severe headache
Sensitivity to light
Seizures
High-grade fever
Difficulty in falling asleep and waking up
Confusion
Stiff neck
Lethargy
Decreased appetite
Irritability
Nausea
Vomiting
Sleepiness
Disorientation
Purple bruising on the skin
What Are The Risk Factors For Meningitis?
The following are the risk factors associated with meningitis.
Age
A newborn infant whose mother is suffering from group strep B infection is at more risk of getting meningitis. Also, children who are under the age of five and adults aged between 18 to 24 are at increased risk of getting meningitis.
Close Environment
People who live in a closed environment like that of hostels or barracks are at risk of getting meningitis due to increased and close exposure.
Certain Health Conditions
Health conditions like AIDS, cancer, brain injury, or systemic lupus erythematosus can cause meningitis.
Working With Animals
People who work with animals are at greater risk of getting meningitis because they can get infected with Listeria.
Immunocompromised Patients
People suffering from diseases like AIDS that impair their immune system are more prone to catch infections. Therefore, they are at greater risk of getting infected with organisms that cause meningitis.
What Are The Complications Of Meningitis?
Meningitis can cause the following complications.
Memory loss
Vision loss
Hearing loss
Arthritis
Hydrocephalous
Migraine
Seizures
Brain damage
If meningitis is left untreated, it can result in a life-threatening condition called shock, in which blood circulation of your body is affected. Shock can result in a gangrene-a condition in which tissues of your body die due to a lack of oxygen.
Due to which, doctors may have to perform an amputation of that part of the body. Generally, gangrene occurs in the extremities, like hands, arms, legs, and toes. But it can also occur in other organs. To prevent complications of meningitis, you must visit a healthcare provider soon. Prompt medical treatment can help in preventing these complications.
What Is The Treatment For Meningitis?
Your health care provider will treat your meningitis according to the causative agent. If it occurs due to bacterial infection, antibiotics will help in this condition. There are greater chances that they will prescribe you intravenous antibiotics, that show efficient results in brain infections.
If the causative agent is a virus, the healthcare providers will give you antiviral drugs. Doctors will also prescribe symptomatic treatment like antipyretics to lower high-grade fever, fluid replacement to get rid of dehydration. Moreover, they will ask you to rest in a dark room due to sensitivity to light.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Getting Meningitis?
You can protect yourself from getting meningitis due to certain strains of bacteria by getting yourself vaccinated on time. The following vaccines in preventing it.
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine
Meningococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
If you have been exposed to a person having bacterial meningitis, the doctor will prescribe you preventive antibiotics for your protection.
Moreover, do not touch things that carry secretions of the patient like saliva or nasal secretions of an infected person, as it can spread the infection.
Try to avoid the sharing of utensils and drinks that can spread the infectious organism. Furthermore, the following tips can also help in protecting yourself from meningitis:
Stop smoking
Have a good rest
Avoid exposure to people having meningitis
Conclusion
Meningitis is a life-threatening condition in which inflammation of meninges- layers that protect your brain and spinal cord occur. Do not delay your visit to a healthcare provider if you are suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms. If you are suffering from high-grade fever, stiff neck, and severe headache, visit a general physician in Islamabad as soon as possible.
