Cryptococcosis Topic Guide

Our brain, the spinal cord, and its surrounding structures could become infected by a large spectrum of germs (that is, microorganisms). Bacteria and viruses are the most common offenders.

A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough.

Coma is a state of unconsciousness in which the patient does not consiously respond to the environment and stimuli. Causes of coma include head trauma, bleeding in the brain, skull fractures, brain swelling, lack of oxygen to the brain, poisons, and endocrine disorders. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool physicians use to rate the depth of coma of a patient. The outlook of coma for a patient depends on the cause of the coma and the damage to the brain and other organs of the patient's body.

What is a CT scan? Computerized tomography scans (CT scans) are important diagnostic tools for a variety of medical conditions. Some areas of the body frequently evaluated by CT scans include the brain, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and sinuses. The CT scan process uses X-rays and a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Febrile seizures, also known as convulsions, body spasms, or shaking, occur mainly in children and are caused by fever. (Febrile is derived from the Latin febris, meaning fever.)

A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.

What are causes, symptoms, and treatment (acetaminophen) of fever in children? Learn when to worry, when a high fever is an emergency, and how to take a rectal temperature.

Viral and bacterial forms of meningitis are considered contagious, while fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious forms are not. This infection and inflammation of the protective “meninges” covering the brain and spinal cord.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, abdomen, and pelvis. MRI is a very safe procedure; sedation may be used for infants, small children, or adults who are claustrophobic.

Meningitis is an infection of the layers around the spinal cord called meninges. This potentially life-threatening condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, or reactions to medications or environmental toxins.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the spinal cord or brain. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacterial and viral meningitis is caused by a virus. Meningitis symptoms in children include vomiting, rash, stiff neck, fever, seizure, nausea, increased sensitivity to light, and altered mental status. Treatment may incorporate a breathing tube, a heart and breathing monitor, IV fluids, catheterization, and administering acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

A rash is a visible skin outbreak. Examples of noninfectious rashes include eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, hives, and allergic dermatitis. Types of infectious rashes include ringworm, impetigo, scabies, herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Rashes may be caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Treatment depends upon the type of rash.

Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Treatment of vomiting and nausea depend on the cause of the symptoms.

Tension headaches mainly hurt in the forehead, temples, or the back of head and/or neck. Tension headaches may cause a dull, aching pain on both sides of the head, or a “vice-like” tightening in the head and neck.

X-Rays are a form of radiation used to image solid forms inside the body. X-rays are administered by radiologists for many different routine tests, such as mammograms, checking for broken bones, upper GI series, and dental exams, among others. Radiologists carefully monitor the X-ray equipment to make sure the patient receives the smallest dose of radiation possible.