how serious is spiral meningitis?
365132
It is spinal meningitis and refers to an infection/inflammation of the meninges which is the lining of the brain and spinal column. This can be a potentially very serious condition depending on the bacteria/virus that is causing the infection and the patients health. It can potentially cause brain damage, paralysis or even death.\n\nFor further information - check the CDC website:\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
230783
I have Arnold Chiari Malformation...
264409
Quite dangerous.  If he is strong and healthy he may recover with antibiotics, but also may not.
224185
Yes, I have.  It was a culmination of a week long high fever and a fractured skull, resulting in Acute Schizophrenia
984086
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation is usually caused by bacteria or viruses (viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis). Less common causes include fungi, protozoa, and other parasites. Sometimes certain medications, cancers, or other diseases can inflame the meninges, although such noninfectious cases of meningitis are much rarer.\n\nMany of the bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis are fairly common and are more often associated with other everyday illnesses. Sometimes, however, they spread to the meninges from an infection in another part of the body. The infection can start anywhere, including in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or urinary system, but the most common source is the respiratory tract. From there the microorganisms can enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and enter the central nervous system. In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria spread directly to the meninges from a severe nearby infection, such as a serious ear infection (otitis media) or nasal sinus infection (sinusitis). Bacteria may also enter the central nervous system after severe head trauma or head surgery.\n\nBacterial meningitis is less common than viral meningitis but is usually much more serious and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis: Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes are the most common causes of meningitis in newborns. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are more frequent in children older than 2 months of age. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of meningitis in children in the United States. But the widespread use of the Hib vaccine as a routine childhood immunization has dramatically decreased the frequency of meningitis caused by Hib.\n\nViral meningitis is relatively common and far less serious than bacterial meningitis. It often remains undiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to those of the common flu. The frequency of viral meningitis increases slightly in the summer and fall months because people are more often exposed to common viral agents during those seasons. Most cases of viral meningitis are associated with enteroviruses - viruses that typically cause stomach "flu." However, many other types of viruses, such as the herpes virus, can also cause meningitis. The mumps virus was once a common cause of viral meningitis, but it is now rare due to the routine use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.\n\nBacterial meningitis occurs in people of all ages but is more common in the very young (infants and young children) and the elderly (people above age 60). Teenagers and college students are also slightly more at risk for the disease because of time spent in close contact with many of their peers. Viral meningitis occurs in people of all ages, although it is more common in children.\n\nPeople with less competent immune systems, such as the very young or those whose immune systems have been compromised by disease, are more at risk for all types of meningitis. Some types are more common in child-care centers, boarding schools, dormitories, and military bases, mainly because infectious diseases tend to spread quickly among large groups of people. Not receiving routine vaccines for certain infectious agents that can cause meningitis - including those for mumps, Hib, and pneumococcus - also increases a person's risk for the disease.\n\nThe long-term outlook for children who develop meningitis varies greatly and depends on a child's age, the microorganism causing the infection, any other complications, and the treatment the child receives. The complications of bacterial meningitis can be severe and include neurological problems such as hearing loss, visual impairment, seizures, and learning disabilitie
114672
intimate kissing with multiple partners is one, is one of the many causes of meningitis
648058
I'm sorry for your loss.  Here is a brief description of meningitis.  The link below contains information on the symptoms and causes of meningitis:\n\n"Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Although the most common causes are infection (bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic), chemical agents and even tumor cells may cause meningitis. Meningitis can produce a wide range of symptoms including fever, headache or confusion and in extreme cases, deafness, brain damage, stroke, seizures or even death. Encephalitis and brain abscess can complicate infective meningitis."
738851
Sounds like the flu! Or...a brain tumor
785980
Personally I would not of even talked about this. Something like that is a bit too personal. If it's bothering you that much wear a pad or put a cork up it.....whatever. And if it gets worse the next day, see your doctor.
776590
No.  My brother had it twice as a toddler & it was spinal meningitis too.  I wasn't very old & don't remember much.  All I know of it is what's been told to me by family members.  He almost died both times he had it.\n\nMy brother had dark circles under his eyes the second time, which the doctor mistook for black eyes & called CPS (Child Protective Services) on my mom.  I vaguely remember this lady coming into our home & looking into the cupboards, the fridge, checking the stove, the washer, the dryer & the backyard.  Case was closed a few days later.  What the dark cirlces were from was a milk allergy.  My brother was allergic to cow's milk & we had to buy Mocha Mix & Carnation evaporated milk for him to drink.  I used to sneak drinks of the Mocha Mix in a small cup when no one was looking.  Now he's not allergic to anything.  Weird is what I say & probably a misdiagnosis.
846374
Not to panic, but these are symptoms consistent with very serious conditions including aneurysm or hydracephelus promarily. If I were you I would get to the ER for a brain CT STAT. Seriously dont wait if the pain hasnt subsided with analgesics it could be very critical. Let me know if you have more questions mcc_md@yahoo.com
896438
Sounds like meningitis - the attending is on the right track.
826009
1.) You can analyze the CSF for abnormal levels of protein, glucose, and immune cells that can suggest specific causes of meningitis.  You can also look directly for the presence of bacteria and check for certain viruses with PCR.\n\n2.) They contain the cell bodies of the afferent nerves, while the dorsal roots only have the thin axons.\n\n3.) Carrots have lots of beta-carotene, which is the biochemical precursor for retinal.  Retinal is the pigment that absorbs light in our eyes.  Eating carrots won't help your vision if it is blurry, but can help you if you are having trouble seeing at night.\n\n4.) The passage between the third to fourth ventricles is blocked.\n\n5.) The two patients have herniated disks at different levels of the spine.  The first person sounds like he's herniated at L2.  The second guy sounds like he's herniated at L5.
239743
I do not know all the organs or all the systems that this virus affects (infects), but speaking as a human, it is the closest I have ever come to praying for death.  I can say emphatically, you do not want the flu.
339658
If you don't have a sinus infection treated, it can lead to permanent or fatal results.\nIf you body is ultimately unable to fight off the infection\nit could lead to respiratory infection, ear infection, temporary ear damage, then later permanent ear damage and finally as the infection level increases it could result in renal difficulties.\nAlso, an infection in your head can move to your brain.\nThe longer you have an infection and the more severe it becomes the greater your chances for it to move into your brain.\nThe blood/brain barrier will stop most things from getting in, but if the infection physically enters the brain from bacterial or fungal growth, then you can say, bye bye.
643594
You need to get her to a neurologist right now!  This sounds like a serious head injury.  If there is bleeding in the brain, many bad things can happen.
46734
I think that meningitis, both viral which is the non lethal one and bacterial which is deadly, have these symptoms.