Meningitis

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.

The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Most cases of meningitis are caused by a viral infection. But bacteria, parasites and fungi also can cause it.

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Symptoms

Early meningitis symptoms may be similar to the flu. Symptoms may develop over several hours or over a few days.

Possible symptoms in anyone older than the age of 2 years include:

• Sudden high fever.
• Stiff neck.
• Severe headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Confusion or trouble concentrating.
• Seizures.
• Sleepiness or trouble waking.
• Sensitivity to light.
• No appetite or thirst.
• Skin rash in some cases, such as in meningococcal meningitis.

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical care if you or someone in your family has meningitis symptoms, such as:

• Fever.
• Severe headache that doesn’t go away.
• Confusion.
• Vomiting.
• Stiff neck.

Bacterial meningitis is serious and can cause death within days without prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment also increases the risk of permanent brain damage.

It’s also important to talk to your health care provider if you’ve been exposed to someone with meningitis. That may include a family member or someone you live or work with. You may need to take medicines to prevent getting an infection.

Treatments

• Apart from bacterial meningitis, viral, parasitic and fungi caused meningitis can be cured by homeopathy itself. Homeopathy has good scope in infectious diseases acting on any particular organ of the body including central nervous system and so these conditions can be treated very effectively.

Homeopathy works quickly on such conditions and prevents further complications as well.

Few homeopathic remedies which acts on such conditions are belladona, zincum metallicum, Apis mellifica etc.