Make Sense of Meningitis
Meningitis occurs in two forms: bacterial and viral. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, but the majority of cases of meningitis are viral.
Individuals with head pain may wonder, will viral meningitis cause head pain? The answer is yes. Symptoms for both types of meningitis include a severe headache, stiff neck, fever, nausea, sleepiness, and seizures.
A clinician can diagnose meningitis using tests including:
- Lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap): This test is the definitive diagnosis of meningitis and will indicate whether the infection is bacterial or viral. It involves taking a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid and examining it for infection-causing organisms.
- Imaging (such as x-rays or computed tomography) may be used to look for associated infection in other parts of the body.
Risk factors for viral meningitis include living in a communal setting such as a college dorm or working with farm animals.
Meningitis is usually caused by a contagious infection. The best ways to prevent meningitis (either bacterial or viral) include washing your hands regularly and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
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