Meningitis is a condition in which the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Meningitis causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord, which causes symptoms such as headaches, fever, and stiff neck. If an individual is diagnosed with meningitis, they should seek immediate medical care. 

Dr. Rao’s Hospital, one of the best neurology hospital in Guntur, offers advanced and effective meningitis treatment in Guntur. Our founder and medical head, Dr. Mohana Rao, is one of the best neurosurgeon in Guntur. Dr. Rao holds a team of highly qualified and experienced neurosurgeons and neurologist in Guntur.

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What are the Types of Meningitis?

(A) Bacterial meningitis:

Meningococcal and pneumococcal are the two main types of bacterial meningitis. They are both rare, but they are usually severe and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

(B) Viral meningitis:

Viral meningitis or aseptic meningitis is a less severe kind of meningitis. Because its symptoms are commonly mistaken for those of the ordinary flu, it is often misdiagnosed.

(C) Fungal meningitis:

Fungal meningitis is a very uncommon kind of meningitis. It is caused by a fungal infection that has spread to the brain and spinal cord. People with compromised immune systems are the ones who are most affected. 

Meningitis can affect children of any age. But it is more common among teenagers, college students, and boarding school students as it quickly spreads among people living in close quarters. If you feel your child is suffering from the sickness, seek medical help right away.

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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis?

Meningitis signs and symptoms might appear anywhere from a few hours to a day or two. The following are the signs and symptoms of meningitis:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Stiffness of the neck
• State of confusion
• Lack of concentration
• Disinterest in routine activities such as eating and drinking
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty in waking up
• Meningococcal or viral meningitis can also cause skin rash

Meningitis can lead to the following complications if not treated on time:

• Memory loss
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Speech loss
• Behavior problems
• Brain damage
• Paralysis
• Adrenal gland failure
• Renal failure
• Shock

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What are the Risk Factors for Meningitis?

Meningitis is more likely to affect the following people:

• Children who live in hostels
• Military personnel
• Dormitory students
• Listeria infection in pregnant women
• Individuals working closely with domestic animals
• In conditions with weak immunity such as AIDS, diabetes, use of immunosuppressant medications, and removal of the spleen.

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How Is Meningitis Diagnosed?

• If our expert neurologist in Guntur suspects meningitis, they will order specific tests to diagnose it.
• A blood culture, in which blood is collected from a vein and sent to a lab to see if meningitis-causing bacteria are growing in the blood, may be performed by the doctor.
• To check for swelling, imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans of the sinuses, head, and neck are performed.
• The cerebrospinal fluid is collected from the spine and tested in the lab through a spinal tap or lumbar puncture, a sure way of diagnosing meningitis.
• Increased white blood cells, low blood sugar, and a high protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid indicate meningitis. 
• A DNA-based test known as polymerase chain reaction amplification is used to detect viral meningitis, resulting in less than four hours.

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How Is Meningitis Treated?

• Our proficient meningitis doctor in Guntur may prescribe intravenous antibiotics and corticosteroid medicines to treat bacterial meningitis.
• Other issues such as convulsions, dehydration, and shock will be addressed as well.
• If there is an infection between the membranes that enclose the brain and the skull, a neurosurgeon can eliminate it.
• Antibiotics are unable to treat viral meningitis. To avoid dehydration, the patient should take enough rest and drink plenty of fluids. Fever and body ache is treated with over-the-counter drugs.
• Doctors can administer intravenous antifungal medicines to treat fungal meningitis. Also, they may prescribe cortisones to treat meningitis resulting from immune-deficient illnesses and allergies.

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What are the Preventive Measures for Meningitis?

• To prevent bacterial meningitis, four vaccinations are available. Teenagers entering high school or college or living in a hostel should take suitable vaccines.
• Other precautions that the doctor may recommend preventing meningitis include:
• If you have been in close contact with someone who has had bacterial meningitis, you should take antibiotics.
• Vaccinate for other diseases.
• Maintain hygiene.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils.

Make an appointment at Dr. Rao’s Hospital, one of the best neurology hospital in Guntur, to avail of the most effective meningitis treatment in Guntur.