Meningitis can be life threatening whether it is cause by bacteria or a virus if it is left untreated. Among the two, bacterial meningitis is the most serious and can result to coma, permanent disability, brain swelling and even death. Figures showed that about 3,000 to 5,000 people in United States alone is affected with it every year. It is estimated that around twenty to twenty-five percent of most cases, bacterial meningitis can be fatal even if with treatment. If the bacterial meningitis develops fast in just twenty-four hours or less then death may occur in over half of the cases that develops the condition even if proper treatment is undertaken.
The good news is the rate of bacterial meningitis has decrease by fifty-five percent in early 1990’s in the United States when the Hib vaccine was introduced and there are recent prevention measures and other vaccine which help in preventing further the disease. It is very fortunate that there is continues decrease in cases of bacterial meningitis since 1998 but the bad news is the disease is still fatal and can still lead to death. One thing that is evident, cases of bacterial meningitis is reduce in infants because of the vaccines introduce thus most cases of meningitis today is found in adults ( New England Journal of Medicine 2011).
On the other hand, prognosis of viral meningitis is much better than bacterial meningitis since most people do get over it on their own or sometimes with simple medications to treat the symptoms. Most people does not even get diagnose with viral meningitis since they confuse the condition as flu and they usually get over it after a week.
Symptoms of Spinal Meningitis in Adults
In cases of meningitis, about twenty-five percent of it develops the symptoms in over twenty-four hours. The other seventy-five percent usually gets ill in seven days. Sometimes if one is already under antibiotics for a different condition then the symptoms of meningitis may take longer to develop and may be less serious.
The most common symptoms of meningitis in adults include stiff neck, headache and fever but not all cases develops these symptoms. About forty-five percent of the case gets all these three symptoms and the rest at least experience one of the symptoms. Other symptoms associated with meningitis aside from the three already mentioned above are vomiting, photophobia, upper respiratory infection, seizures and confusion. Less common symptoms may include a rash that looks like a bruise, joint pain and swelling, and localized weakness.
Spinal Meningitis symptoms in adults when observed should not be taken for granted.One should seek medical attention immediately for you do not know what kind of meningitis strikes you. So seek medical care immediately if there is any doubt that you or any of your household is suffering from one. Early interventions especially with bacterial meningitis can save your life.