Diagnosis
To diagnose a patient, doctors may order several tests or they may need to seek a specialist’s advice. It is important to determine whether the condition is viral or bacterial.
Some of the things doctors do to diagnose a patient include the following:
- Ask the patient their detailed history of symptoms
- Perform a clinical/physical examination
- Take blood tests
- Perform a lumbar puncture, which is when spinal fluid is removed using a needle in order to examine for bacteria
What is the difference between the bacterial and viral kinds?
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is the more serious form of the two. It is commonly caused by three types of bacteria, which are:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
People of all ages can actually carry these bacteria without becoming ill, but they could infect others by coughing or sneezing. If a person is infected with the bacterial kind, it is strongly advised for them to seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment and prevention
To treat this condition, doctors give patients under hospital care intravenous antibiotics. Anti-convulsant, cortisone, and sedative medications may also be used in case of complications.
Bacterial meningitis can be prevented by immunization. The specific vaccines that can protect a person from bacterial meningitis are the Hib immunization, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, the Meningococcal B vaccine, and the Pneumococcal vaccine.
Viral meningitis
A number of different viruses cause this condition. These include:
- Enteroviruses
- Coxsackieviruses
- Mumps virus
- Adenovirus
Viral meningitis is often a complication of another (systemic) viral illness. This type is actually more common and is easier to recover from. However, it can occasionally become serious.
Treatment and prevention
Doctors advise patients to rest, keep warm, and comfortable, and to drink plenty of fluids. Such is the case with any other viral infection. Should the infection become more severe, the patient should go to the hospital.
To prevent this type of meningitis, people should wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet, changing a diaper, blowing their nose, and before touching food. It also helps to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. In addition, experts advise people who are feeling unwell to stay home.
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