Can meningitis cause mental health problems?
Victims were found to be significantly more likely to experience mental health problems with one in five suffering anxiety or behavioural disorders. In addition, meningitis was found to impact on an individual’s memory – both long and short term – and leave survivors significantly more likely to experience epilepsy.
Is meningitis a common childhood illness?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
How do you manage a patient with meningitis?
Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated immediately with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures. The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
What are the most common causative agents of meningitis for immunocompetent individuals?
The most common pathogen in immunocompromised patients with bacterial meningitis is S. pneumoniae, but other pathogens such as L. monocytogenes, E. coli, Salmonella species, and S.
What kind of brain damage does meningitis cause?
The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly. Bacterial meningitis can cause stroke, hearing loss, and permanent brain damage.
Can meningitis cause problems later in life?
Meningitis and septicaemia can cause a range of disabilities and problems that can alter lives. After effects may be temporary or permanent, physical or emotional.
What are 5 common childhood illnesses?
7 common illnesses in childhood (and what to do about them)
- Coughs, colds and flu. Your child’s nose is dribbling.
- Asthma. Asthma is a common lung condition that often begins in childhood.
- Bronchiolitis.
- Gastroenteritis.
- Ear infection.
- Chickenpox.
- Conjunctivitis.
What does the start of meningitis look like?
It leads to broken blood vessels, and they can resemble a rash, which doctors call a petechial rash. In babies and adults, a meningitis rash may look like the following: tiny red, pink, brown, or purple pinprick marks (petechiae) on the skin. purple bruise-like marks.
What is the best antibiotic for meningitis?
Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis
| Age or Predisposing Feature | Antibiotics |
|---|---|
| Age 1 mo-50 y | Vancomycin plus cefotaxime or ceftriaxone* |
| Age >50 y | Vancomycin plus ampicillin plus ceftriaxone or cefotaxime plus vancomycin* |
| Impaired cellular immunity | Vancomycin plus ampicillin plus either cefepime or meropenem |
Does meningitis go away by itself?
Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis. Most people get better on their own without treatment. However, anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor right away because any type of meningitis can be serious.
How do people get meningitis?
Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.
What is the survival rate of bacterial meningitis?
Can bacterial meningitis be cured? There is a 10 percent death rate from bacterial meningitis, but if diagnosed and treated early enough, most people recover.