Is meningitis a respiratory disease?
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). These bacteria commonly cause an upper respiratory infection but can cause meningococcal meningitis when they enter the bloodstream. This is a highly contagious infection that affects mainly teenagers and young adults.
What is the most common complication of meningitis?
Some of the most common complications associated with meningitis are:
- hearing loss, which may be partial or total – people who have had meningitis will usually have a hearing test after a few weeks to check for any problems.
- recurrent seizures (epilepsy)
- problems with memory and concentration.
What body systems does meningitis affect?
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain.
How do patients get meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis.
What are the chances of surviving meningitis?
Outlook / Prognosis There is a 10 percent death rate from bacterial meningitis, but if diagnosed and treated early enough, most people recover.
Who is generally at highest risk for meningitis Why?
Age – In general, young children are at the highest risk of getting bacterial meningitis and septicaemia but other age groups can also be vulnerable to specific types. Geography and environment – Some countries have higher rates of meningitis and septicaemia.
Can you survive meningitis?
Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
Can you fully recover from meningitis?
Recovery. If you are diagnosed with viral meningitis, you will usually find that symptoms improve within a few days and most recover fully after one to four weeks.
What’s the prognosis for someone with bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.
Does meningitis go away?
It often goes away on its own and usually does not cause permanent damage or disability. It’s most prevalent in the spring and summer because that’s when the enterovirus, one of the most common causes of meningitis, tends to be circulating in communities. It’s not always easy to make a meningitis diagnosis.
How long do you have to live if you have meningitis?
Most cases of viral meningitis end within 7 to 10 days. Some people might need to be treated in the hospital, although kids usually can recover at home if they’re not too ill. Treatment to ease symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medicine.
How long do you stay in hospital for meningitis?
People with meningitis may need to stay in hospital for a few days, and in certain cases treatment may be needed for several weeks. Even after going home, it may be a while before you feel completely back to normal.