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| Meningitis Symptoms Meningitis is the infection of the meninges-the protective membrane that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Most often children and young adults are at risk although older adults especially those with weakened immune system are also at risk. There are two kinds of meningitis, the viral and the bacterial. Both would manifest almost the same meningitis symptoms. Of the two, viral meningitis is most common although considered to be a less serious illness given that even in most severe cases, only prolonged fever and seizure could result. This is not the case of bacterial meningitis if left untreated at the earliest time as this disease could result to brain damage or even death. It is not easy to recognize the symptoms of meningitis as oftentimes people would confuse the symptoms with flu. In fact, meningitis may actually develop after a flu. This is the reason why a parent should be vigilant and be able to recognize meningitis symptoms at once as acting quickly could save a life. Bacterial meningitis may develop after a few hours; viral meningitis could develop after several days. Both however have the following meningitis symptoms: • High fever • Severe unrelenting headache • Stiff neck ( it would be difficult and painful to touch the chin to the chest) • Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea • Sensitivity to bright lights/painful eyes • Disorientation and feeling confused • Drowsiness/sluggishness/vacant look/hard to wake • Dizziness • Skin rashes/abnormal color of the skin • Seizure A person suffering from severe meningitis can be dead in hours. If you notice someone with one or several of these meningitis symptoms, act at once. In most severe cases the symptoms would come out suddenly. To save the life of the person afflicted with meningitis, seek medial assistance at once. Call a doctor and describe the symptoms. If a doctor is unavailable, go to the nearest emergency hospital at once. The patient however should not be made to drive as he/she could have a seizure. |
List of medical symptoms
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