Avoid Meningitis Mayhem: What You Need To Know

Complications

Compilations of meningitis can be severe; however, even people with severe cases can make a full recovery if they are treated immediately. The longer a person waits to seek treatment, the greater the risk of permanent neurological damage. Complications may include memory and hearing loss, learning disabilities, kidney failure, brain damage, shock, seizures, difficulty walking, and death. Meningitis may also cause disseminated intravascular coagulation, or DIC, which is a blood-clotting disorder, and Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, or SIADH, which causes a fluid buildup.

Diagnosis

A doctor or pediatrician will need to conduct some tests to properly diagnosis meningitis. This may include a physical examination in which a doctor checks for an infection of the throat, ears, head, and the skin along the spine. Certain diagnostic tests may also be required. These include blood cultures taken by drawing blood, imaging such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance (MR) scan. In some cases, a spinal tap may need to be done to collect cerebrospinal fluid.