Source: DOCTORSHUB NIGERIA


NB: Original post has been edited and shortened


Below are the 7 signs and symptoms of meningitis you must not ignore....if indeed you want to be alive to tell your story:


#1. Headache:
Headache is one symptom that is always present in meningitis. And it is expected because the infection is directly affecting the brain. Very often, it can be so severe that you will think your eyes are going to bulge out of their sockets. So when ticking your checklist of meningitis symtpoms, also tick headache, because if indeed it is meningitis, headache must be there.

#2. Fever:
This is also another symptoms you shouldn't ignore. The fever is caused by septicemia- symptomatic manifestation of the multiplication of the bacteria in the blood. So look out for fever of greater than or equal to 38°c. And by fever, I mean abnormal hotness of body.

#3. Neck stiffness and pain:
Commonly seen in children, this is a sign that should alert anyone to the possibility of meningitis. It is one sign that is almost exclusive to meningitis (except tetanus). The neck becomes very stiff and painful. Try to bend your neck forward while laying on your back and you will be met with some stiffness and the pain felt would be almost unbearable.

#4. Photophobia:
This is a condition in which exposure to bright light makes one's eyes hurt. It is one of the must-find symptoms of meningitis. It is also worthy of mention that there are a few conditions which can also cause this e.g migraine. The take home message here is that the photophobia of meningitis does not occur in isolation...it always accompanies a very severe and persistent headache.

#5. Rashes:
Not all cases of meningitis present with rashes. Only those caused by Neisseria meningitidis. However, when there are rashes, the rashes consists of numerous small, irregular purple or red spots (known medically as petechiae) which appear on the trunk, lower extremities, mucous membranes, conjuctiva, and (occasionally) the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. The rashes are often described as non-blanching i.e their redness remains even when pressed by a finger or transparent glass. The rashes may be difficult to spot in very dark-skinned people and are more commonly seen in children and teenagers.

#6. Nausea and vomiting:
Yes, meningitis can cause you to feel nauseous and vomit. This is due to the brain inflammation caused by the infection. Following the inflammation, the brain eventually swells up and pressure is exerted on areas of the brain that bring about nausea and vomiting.

#7. Convulsions/Seizures:
This is often a late symptom of the infection and it usually portends an advanced and potentially fatal stage of the disease. For most people who experience seizures due to meningitis, even when they survive the infection, they are never the same again, as irreparable complications would have occurred. The goal is to prevent the infection from progressing to this stage by seeking medical help urgently.


NB: it is important to know that the above signs and symptoms do not occur in isolation individually. If you find one, there must be one or two other symptoms present. That, said if at all you having any of the symptoms listed, especially after having recently returned from the northern part of the country or having recently made contact and interacted with someone who has been in the northern part of the country recently, then talk to a doctor quickly!


Also read "MENINGITIS ALERT: 6 TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT THE INFECTION". See link: http://doctorshub.com.ng/2017/04/05/meningitis-alert-6-tips-on-how-to-protect-yourself-from-the-infection/.


CALL ANY OF OUR MENINGITIS ALERT HOTLINES TO DISCUSS YOUR SYMPTOMS OR REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE OF MENINGITIS NOW:

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08164810458
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Thanks for reading!


http://doctorshub.com.ng/2017/04/04/meningitis-alert-7-signs-and-symptoms-you-must-not-ignore/