Does meningitis cause fever?

Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Generally, patients with meningitis exhibit symptoms of fever, along with headaches, nausea, vomiting, or some cognitive impairments and confusion. It is advised that everyone should be cautious and distinguish the symptoms of meningitis from those of common colds, and perhaps visit the department of neurology at a hospital for proper diagnosis and targeted treatment. Under the circumstance of meningitis, it is crucial to follow the doctor's guidance and actively cooperate with the treatment. Typically, a regimen involving anti-infection and antiviral medications is necessary for about two to three weeks, and most patients have a favorable prognosis. Additionally, it is important to maintain a relaxed mood, avoid excessive stress, and drink adequate water to promote excretion.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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What are the symptoms of meningitis?

The symptoms of meningitis mainly include headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, epileptic seizures, and mental abnormalities. Severe cases may also present with disturbances in consciousness and signs of meningeal irritation, among others. Therefore, when a patient exhibits the above symptoms, the possibility of meningitis should be considered. The patient needs to promptly visit the neurology department to undergo a cranial CT scan, cranial MRI, electroencephalogram, and lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment should be based on the test results, selecting appropriate anti-infective medications. For example, patients with viral meningitis should be treated with antiviral medications such as acyclovir and ganciclovir; patients with bacterial meningitis should be treated with potent antibacterial drugs, including carbapenems and quinolones; patients with tuberculous meningitis should receive antitubercular drugs, such as isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol. In addition, patients may also need symptomatic treatments such as dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure, fever reduction, and control of psychiatric symptoms. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to test for meningitis?

Meningitis is a very common disease in neurology, and the most common causes are infections, including viral infections, common bacterial infections, tuberculosis infections, and fungal infections. The main methods of examination for meningitis are as follows: First, physical examination. A physical examination can reveal neck stiffness in the patient, and positive meningeal irritation signs. These examinations are non-invasive and very safe. Second, a lumbar puncture can also be performed. A lumbar puncture can be used to observe whether the fluid pressure is high, and also to collect cerebrospinal fluid to examine its color, perform cytological and biochemical analyses, and culture the cerebrospinal fluid. This is very important to definitively determine the presence of meningitis and to identify the type of infectious agent involved. Additionally, enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can also be performed to see if there is significant enhancement of the meninges.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Is meningitis severe?

Meningitis is an infectious inflammation that occurs in the meninges and the brain and spinal meninges, and some may also involve the brain parenchyma. Meningitis is generally a serious disease, and if not treated promptly, it can develop into cerebral edema and severe cases may lead to brain herniation, respiratory and circulatory failure, endangering life. Some patients may even experience a decline in intelligence, paralysis, and other sequelae after recovery, severely affecting the quality of life. Therefore, it is important to actively treat meningitis once contracted.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Meningitis examination methods

The examination methods for meningitis mainly include several types. The first is the lumbar puncture examination, which is a very important diagnostic tool. Through lumbar puncture, one can observe the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, its color, and perform laboratory tests on the CSF to examine biochemical properties and cell count changes. Additionally, it is possible to culture pathogens from the cerebrospinal fluid, which is of great auxiliary value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of meningitis. Secondly, patients with meningitis also need to undergo physical examinations. If signs of meningeal irritation are found during the physical examination, it also indicates meningitis. Thirdly, patients may need to undergo enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain. If the meningitis lesions are severe, meningeal enhancement can be seen.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What is meningitis?

Meningitis is predominantly an inflammation that occurs in the meninges and can extend to the brain parenchyma. It is generally caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including common pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, tuberculosis bacteria, etc. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, etc. More severe cases can present with convulsions, disturbances of consciousness, or even coma. The condition can be mild or severe, and if not treated promptly, it can be fatal in serious cases.