Symptoms of Meningitis in Adults
Meningitis is a serious disease in which the membrane surrounding the brain (known as the meninges) becomes inflamed due to infection. Without proper identification and treatment, meningitis in adults can be fatal.
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Identification
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The symptoms of meningitis in adults are not easily identifiable, as they can frequently be mistaken for symptoms of the flu or another virus. In some cases, meningitis can have a rapid onset, with symptoms appearing and peaking to life-threatening potential within 24 hours. However, in nearly three-quarters of adult cases, the symptoms appear more gradually and progress over the course of several days to a week. Taken alone, the signs could be symptoms of other diseases, but when they co-occur, the likelihood of meningitis is high. Symptoms to look out for include: unrelenting headache accompanied by a stiff neck; high fever, chills and nausea; mental confusion and sleepiness; seizures; photophobia (painful sensitivity to light); and rashes.
Types
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There are two common types of the disease: bacterial and viral. By far, bacterial meningitis is the more serious of the two. It typically occurs when the same germs which cause severe respiratory infections enter the bloodstream. Because this type of the disease is frequently preceded by another type of infection, the rapidly-progressing symptoms can be overlooked. The mortality rate of bacterial meningitis is approximately one in four. Viral meningitis, on the other hand, is much less dangerous. As a virus, it is a self-limiting, antibiotic non-responsive disease. It typically clears up within 2 weeks and treatment is symptom-based.
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Considerations
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Though anybody can contract meningitis, there are some risk factors which can increase the likelihood. Adults who live in community settings, such as college dorms or military installations, have a higher chance of getting the disease because of how quickly it can spread in close quarters. Veterinarians, ranchers and dairy farmers (who are frequently exposed to the bacterium listeria) run a higher risk of contracting bacterial meningitis. Patients with compromised immune systems also run a higher risk of contracting meningitis.
Prevention/Solution
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You can reduce your risk of contracting meningitis by taking some preventive measures. College students, adults who work in childcare settings and patients with suppressed immune systems should talk to their doctor about the benefits of the meningococcal meningitis vaccine. If you have been exposed to the disease, you doctor may also recommend a preventive course of antibiotics.
Warning
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Meningitis is a rapidly-progressing, life-threatening disease. Even if you're not certain that your symptoms fit the pattern of the infection, it's still important to seek immediate medical attention.
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