BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

For acute bacterial meningitis, the symptoms include:

• High fever
• Headaches
• Due to stiffness in the neck, an inability to lower your chin to your chest
• In older children and adults, irritability, confusion, and increasing drowsiness may be seen.
• Seizures and stroke may also occur.
• The fever may cause nauseous feeling in young children. These children may have seizures, refuse to eat, become irritable and may cry. Young children’s head may swell because the fluid around the head may become blocked.

These symptoms swiftly begin, usually within 24 hours. If permitted to develop, bacterial meningitis may be deadly.

If you suspect meningitis, it is important that you seek out instantaneous medical assistance.

The specialist will physically examine you. He or she will search for a red or purple rash on your skin. He or she will then examine your hip and knee flexion and will also check your neck for stiffness.

Your doctor will have to determine if the cause is viral, bacterial, or fungal. Then, he or she will have to analyze your spinal fluid. Your doctor may also demand tests to analyze your urine, blood, and the mucus from your throat and nose.

To treat bacterial meningitis, antibiotics are used. To reduce inflammation even before all the test results are in, your doctor may prescribe a general intravenous antibiotic with a corticosteroid. When the particular bacteria are recognized, your doctor may agree to change antibiotics. Replenish fluids in your body because fluids are lost from diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, and loss of appetite.