Meningitis is endemic in Brazil and requires immediate medical attention. Headache, fever and nausea are among the main symptoms
Meningitis is an endemic disease in Brazil. This means that cases of the disease are expected throughout the year, with occasional outbreaks and outbreaks. Incidentally, the onset of bacterial meningitis is more common in autumn-winter and viral in spring-summer. Males are also the most affected by the disease.
what is meningitis
The disease causes a severe clinical picture. Therefore, if you suspect an infection, it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Only a doctor can determine if you have the disease, the type of meningitis, and the best treatment.
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The diagnosis is made only from the analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (liquor) samples, indicates the Ministry of Health. Also, specific identification of the agent is important so that the doctor knows exactly how to treat the infection.
Symptoms
There are four different types of meningitis, and the symptoms vary between each. Check the Ministry of Health classification:
bacterial: the bacterial form is usually the most severe and symptoms include fever, headache and neck stiffness. Patients may still experience malaise, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), and mental confusion. Over time, some more serious symptoms of bacterial meningitis may appear, such as seizures, delirium, tremors, and coma.
Viral: the viral form of the infection has similar symptoms to the bacterial form, such as fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, irritability, drowsiness or difficulty waking up from sleep, lethargy, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light) .
Parasitic meningitis: As in other cases, people who develop this type of meningitis may experience headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and/or altered mental status (confusion).
Fungal meningitis: Finally, the symptoms caused by fungal meningitis are fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and altered mental status.
When you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
