Is meningitis severe?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 20, 2024
00:00
00:00

Meningitis is an infectious inflammation that occurs in the meninges and the brain and spinal meninges, and some may also involve the brain parenchyma. Meningitis is generally a serious disease, and if not treated promptly, it can develop into cerebral edema and severe cases may lead to brain herniation, respiratory and circulatory failure, endangering life. Some patients may even experience a decline in intelligence, paralysis, and other sequelae after recovery, severely affecting the quality of life. Therefore, it is important to actively treat meningitis once contracted.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
37sec home-news-image

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is predominantly an inflammation that occurs in the meninges and can extend to the brain parenchyma. It is generally caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including common pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, tuberculosis bacteria, etc. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, etc. More severe cases can present with convulsions, disturbances of consciousness, or even coma. The condition can be mild or severe, and if not treated promptly, it can be fatal in serious cases.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
40sec home-news-image

sequelae of meningitis

Firstly, it may cause meningitis adhesions leading to hydrocephalus. Once hydrocephalus occurs, it may leave cognitive impairments as sequela, such as slow response, memory decline, and reduced executive functions. Secondly, tuberculous meningitis might also damage cranial nerves, resulting in symptoms such as diplopia, difficulty swallowing with choking on water, and dysarthria. If it affects the facial nerve, peripheral facial paralysis and other sequelae might occur. Thirdly, it could also lead to arteritis. The occurrence of arteritis can cause arterial occlusion, leading to the formation of cerebral infarction.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

Meningitis examination methods

The examination methods for meningitis mainly include several types. The first is the lumbar puncture examination, which is a very important diagnostic tool. Through lumbar puncture, one can observe the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, its color, and perform laboratory tests on the CSF to examine biochemical properties and cell count changes. Additionally, it is possible to culture pathogens from the cerebrospinal fluid, which is of great auxiliary value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of meningitis. Secondly, patients with meningitis also need to undergo physical examinations. If signs of meningeal irritation are found during the physical examination, it also indicates meningitis. Thirdly, patients may need to undergo enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain. If the meningitis lesions are severe, meningeal enhancement can be seen.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Bian Jun Li
Neurology
56sec home-news-image

Is meningitis scary?

Meningitis is a relatively common infectious disease of the central nervous system in clinical practice. The common types of meningitis seen clinically include viral meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, and purulent meningitis. The main clinical symptoms of meningitis include headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, and signs of meningeal irritation; some may present with focal neurological deficits in symptoms and signs. If meningitis is not treated promptly or the treatment is ineffective, it often leads to significant sequelae, and can even endanger the patient's life. Therefore, meningitis is considered a serious disease of the central nervous system. If diagnosed with meningitis, timely treatment is essential, underscoring the seriousness of the disease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
42sec home-news-image

Is meningitis serious?

Meningitis is a common infectious disease of the central nervous system. Patients with meningitis often experience symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and neck stiffness. As the disease progresses, they may also experience seizures, motor disorders, disturbed consciousness, coma, and other conditions, with severe cases posing a risk to life. Many patients can still have sequelae after recovery, such as speech impairments, hemiplegia, and decreased intelligence. Therefore, meningitis is a very serious disease, and patients should actively cooperate with doctors for treatment after becoming ill.