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Meningitis in Adults

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.

  • 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.


Next: Adult Meningitis Causes »

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Meningitis in Adults

Sore Throat Overview

Sore throats are usually named for the anatomical site affected.

  • Pharyngitis: The pharynx, the area of your throat directly behind your mouth and soft palate, is a common hallway for food, liquids, and air. Swallowing safely delivers solids and liquids to the stomach through the esophagus. Pharyngitis is pain and inflammation of the pharynx.
  • Tonsillitis: Tonsillitis typically involves inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils are located on either side of the base of the tongue).
  • Laryngitis: The larynx, the top portion of your windpipe (trachea), has an important gatekeeper function. It allows passage of air in and out of the lungs (through the trachea), but bars the entry of solids and liquids. Sound production at the vocal cords is an important side job of the larynx. Laryngitis is pain and inflammation of the larynx (often associated with a hoars...

Read the Sore Throat article »



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Meningitis »

Meningitis is the term to denote inflammation of the meninges.

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