![]() Meningitis can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or cognitive deficits, especially if not treated quickly. Corticosteroids can also be used to prevent complications from excessive inflammation. The first treatment in acute meningitis consists of promptly giving antibiotics and sometimes antiviral drugs. Giving antibiotics to people with significant exposure to certain types of meningitis may also be useful. Some forms of meningitis are preventable by immunization with the meningococcal, mumps, pneumococcal, and Hib vaccines. A lumbar puncture, in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can diagnose or exclude meningitis. ![]() Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord therefore, the condition is classified as a medical emergency. Non-infectious causes include malignancy ( cancer), subarachnoid hemorrhage, chronic inflammatory disease ( sarcoidosis) and certain drugs. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. A non-blanching rash (a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it) may also be present. Young children often exhibit only nonspecific symptoms, such as irritability, drowsiness, or poor feeding. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, nausea, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light or loud noises. The most common symptoms are fever, intense headache, vomiting and neck stiffness and occasionally photophobia. Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the meninges. Meninges of the central nervous system: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.ĭeafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, cognitive deficits Įncephalitis, brain tumor, lupus, Lyme disease, seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, naegleriasis Īntibiotics, antivirals, steroids
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