BACTERIAL MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS - WatsonsHealth

BACTERIAL MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that causes the membranes that protects the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.

Without early treatment, meningococcal meningitis can be fatal or can be harmful. Serious complications occur on as many as one out of five persons who contract the infection.

Symptoms may differ from case to case. These are the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis:

  • Severe, persistent headache
  • General poor feeling
  • Sudden high fever
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Neck stiffness
  • Drowsiness or difficulty awakening
  • Discomfort in bright lights
  • Confusion or other mental changes
  • Joint pain
  • A reddish or purple skin rash (a very significant symptoms to look for). This may be a sign of blood poisoning if it doesn’t turn white if you put a pressure on the glass in it. This is a medical emergency.

The following are other symptoms of meningitis or blood poisoning:

  • High-pitched or moaning cry (in babies)
  • Tense or bulging soft spot (in babies)
  • Stiff, jerky movements or floppiness (in babies or toddlers)
  • Fast breathing
  • Irritability
  • Blotchy skin, turning pale or blue
  • Lethargy or excessive sleepiness
  • Seizure
  • Shivering, or cold hands and feet

It is important to seek out medical attention instantly if meningococcal disease is suspected. It can be lifesaving and can lessen the effects of the disease if urgent hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics can be done.

If you or somebody you know has come into close contact with someone who has meningococcal meningitis (via saliva or other oral secretions) at school, work, or home, it is significant to get antibiotics to prevent infection.

The person may be unable to breathe by themselves in other cases. They will be put on a ventilator which will breathe for them and they will be given sedative medications if this occurs.

These are some tests used to aid diagnosis of the disease:

Blood tests. Blood tests will be done to recognize causative bacteria, to scan the functions of body systems and to observe if there’s any sign of infection somewhere.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). This test involves a needle inserted into the part of the lower spine, then laboratory tests will be conducted to recognize what bacteria has caused the infection.

Computerised tomography (CT scan). The specialist will conduct a special scan of the brain to see if there’s any damage. Children are given a small amount of sedation to ensure they lie still during the test.

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