Meningitis in Adults
- Meningitis in Adults Overview
- Adult Meningitis Causes
- Adult Meningitis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Adult Meningitis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Prevention
- Vaccinations
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Related meningitis articles:
Meningitis - on WebMD
Meningitis - on MedicineNet
Meningitis in Adults Overview
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening infection of the meninges-the tough layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. If not treated, meningitis can lead to brain swelling and cause permanent disability, coma, and even death.
Meningitis can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria (the most serious), viruses, fungi, reactions to medications, and environmental toxins such as heavy metals. Although bacterial and fungal meningitis require extended hospitalization, meningitis caused by viruses can often be treated at home and has a much better outcome.
- Bacterial meningitis
- The most serious form of meningitis, bacterial meningitis, occurs in about 3,000-5,000 people in the United States every year.
- Approximately 20%-25% of the time, even with treatment, bacterial meningitis can be fatal. If bacterial meningitis progresses rapidly, in 24 hours or less, death may occur in more than half of those who develop it, even with proper medical treatment.
- The most serious form of meningitis, bacterial meningitis, occurs in about 3,000-5,000 people in the United States every year.
- Viral meningitis
- Determining how many people get viral meningitis is difficult because it often remains undiagnosed and is easily confused with the flu.
- The prognosis for viral meningitis is much better than that for bacterial meningitis, with most people recovering completely with simple treatment of the symptoms. Because antibiotics do not help viral infections, they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis.
- Determining how many people get viral meningitis is difficult because it often remains undiagnosed and is easily confused with the flu.
Next: Adult Meningitis Causes »
Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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Meningitis in Adults
Vomiting and Nausea Overview
Vomiting and nausea are not illnesses but common complaints that go along with many diseases and conditions. The problems with nausea and vomiting are related to the cause. Nausea and vomiting from motion sickness or seasickness or cancer therapy can result in loss of water and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration. Vomiting and nausea known as morning sickness may occur during pregnancy.
- Nausea, the unmistakable, unpleasant, queasy feeling in your throat or stomach that may result in vomiting, is a message sent by your brain. It tells you that something isn't right.
- Vomiting means emptying your stomach by a strong gag and retch that leads to throwing up. The stomach's contents are forcefully expelled through the mouth. Vomiting can come in waves as the natural movement (known as peristalses) is reversed, and involuntary contractions in the walls of your stomach and esophagus force the stomach contents o...
