Meningitis is caused by the swelling of the membranes that encircles around the spinal cord and brain. The disease is generally triggered by infection of parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and particular organisms. Weak immune systems may be also connected to recurrent bacterial meningitis although most meningitis cases are caused by viruses.
The disease mainly affects the central nervous system which consists of the brain, nerves and the spinal cord. Symptoms such as the fever may be the first sign of the disease, but rapidly increases over time. The quick progression of the illness may result in catastrophic effects depending on the spread of the illness throughout your body. The inflammation of the brain, which is the common effect of the disease, perpetrates the organ while destroying our senses. Our human perceptions are interfered, causing the ringing of the ears, partial hearing loss, and in some cases, deafness. While the hearing abilities may be limited to those of meningitis, eye pain, light sensitivity and loss of vision is a possibility. The circulatory system is also at harm to a patient with meningitis, as the multiplication of bacteria in a person's bloodstream, results in the release of toxins called septicemia. As the condition is known to be life-threatening, bleeding under the skin like a mild rash is common, as the blood pressure decreases, blood vessels are harmed and the pace of your circulation decreases. Depending on your age, health, and the cause and severity of the meningitis, the effects of the disease on the body may differ. In young children, vomiting, rashes, fever, and seizures are only some of the effects it may have on a child physically. The nerves of the face and eyes can be affected, resulting the face to appear asymmetrical and the eyes to turn in. In adults and young people, fever, increased sensitivity to light, tightness in the neck muscle, confusion, rise in bodily temperature; in some cases, stress on the brain would cause swelling or vomiting. Usually, the barrier that is formed between the brain and the bloodstream is protected by the meninges from the body’s immune system. The escalation from an immune reaction is normally prevented from this barrier but in meningitis, this can become a dilemma. As soon as the other organisms and the bacteria have perpetrated their way into the brain, it becomes remote from the immune system and starts to outspread. However, as the body begins to fight the virus, the problem can worsen. When the body attempts to fight the virus, blood vessels start to split, which allows white blood cells, fluid, and other virus-fighting particles to enter the brain and meninges. This is ultimately the root cause of the brain swelling which leads to the reduction of blood flow to particular parts of the brain, intensifying the infectious symptoms. Treatment for meningitis may …show more content…
Bacterial meningitis requires extra precaution since the condition can induce serious problems and demands close monitoring, which is why treatment in hospitals are recommended. Treatments for severe viral meningitis include: antibiotics which is directly given in the vein, fluids to prevent dehydration is also given directly to the vein, to help decrease any inflammation around the brain, steroid medication is given and patients with breathing difficulties require oxygen through a face mask. For mild meningitis, taking painkillers for headaches, getting plenty of rest and taking anti-emetic medication for vomiting may sooth the infection after 7-10 …show more content…
The bacteria that causes meningitis can affect people who have had prolonged or close proximity or contact with the patient, and may spread to them. If a family member doesn’t seek help immediately, it can have long term effects since meningitis can kill in hours. If you ignore the symptoms, it could have long lasting effects on the patient and the family member. Aftereffects of patients who have recovered may also create strain for family members since complications are very common with those who have battled with bacterial meningitis. Possible aftereffects may include: cerebral palsy, behavioural changes, acquired brain injury, behavioural changes, aggressive behaviour and many other after effects. The aftermath of patients who have suffered with meningitis may be brutal and it is up to family members to support
The disease mainly affects the central nervous system which consists of the brain, nerves and the spinal cord. Symptoms such as the fever may be the first sign of the disease, but rapidly increases over time. The quick progression of the illness may result in catastrophic effects depending on the spread of the illness throughout your body. The inflammation of the brain, which is the common effect of the disease, perpetrates the organ while destroying our senses. Our human perceptions are interfered, causing the ringing of the ears, partial hearing loss, and in some cases, deafness. While the hearing abilities may be limited to those of meningitis, eye pain, light sensitivity and loss of vision is a possibility. The circulatory system is also at harm to a patient with meningitis, as the multiplication of bacteria in a person's bloodstream, results in the release of toxins called septicemia. As the condition is known to be life-threatening, bleeding under the skin like a mild rash is common, as the blood pressure decreases, blood vessels are harmed and the pace of your circulation decreases. Depending on your age, health, and the cause and severity of the meningitis, the effects of the disease on the body may differ. In young children, vomiting, rashes, fever, and seizures are only some of the effects it may have on a child physically. The nerves of the face and eyes can be affected, resulting the face to appear asymmetrical and the eyes to turn in. In adults and young people, fever, increased sensitivity to light, tightness in the neck muscle, confusion, rise in bodily temperature; in some cases, stress on the brain would cause swelling or vomiting. Usually, the barrier that is formed between the brain and the bloodstream is protected by the meninges from the body’s immune system. The escalation from an immune reaction is normally prevented from this barrier but in meningitis, this can become a dilemma. As soon as the other organisms and the bacteria have perpetrated their way into the brain, it becomes remote from the immune system and starts to outspread. However, as the body begins to fight the virus, the problem can worsen. When the body attempts to fight the virus, blood vessels start to split, which allows white blood cells, fluid, and other virus-fighting particles to enter the brain and meninges. This is ultimately the root cause of the brain swelling which leads to the reduction of blood flow to particular parts of the brain, intensifying the infectious symptoms. Treatment for meningitis may …show more content…
Bacterial meningitis requires extra precaution since the condition can induce serious problems and demands close monitoring, which is why treatment in hospitals are recommended. Treatments for severe viral meningitis include: antibiotics which is directly given in the vein, fluids to prevent dehydration is also given directly to the vein, to help decrease any inflammation around the brain, steroid medication is given and patients with breathing difficulties require oxygen through a face mask. For mild meningitis, taking painkillers for headaches, getting plenty of rest and taking anti-emetic medication for vomiting may sooth the infection after 7-10 …show more content…
The bacteria that causes meningitis can affect people who have had prolonged or close proximity or contact with the patient, and may spread to them. If a family member doesn’t seek help immediately, it can have long term effects since meningitis can kill in hours. If you ignore the symptoms, it could have long lasting effects on the patient and the family member. Aftereffects of patients who have recovered may also create strain for family members since complications are very common with those who have battled with bacterial meningitis. Possible aftereffects may include: cerebral palsy, behavioural changes, acquired brain injury, behavioural changes, aggressive behaviour and many other after effects. The aftermath of patients who have suffered with meningitis may be brutal and it is up to family members to support