Symptoms:
Symptoms vary considerably, but usually include a sore throat, fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting. Children and adults can become critically ill in 6-24 hours after the first appearance of the symptoms. This condition requires rapid diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Take him to the emergency room immediately! Demand immediate help!

Symptoms include sore throat, red or purple skin rash, fever, chills, malaise, headaches, vomiting, sensitivity to light, nausea, delirium, stiff neck, and convulsions.

In infants: vomiting, fever, difficult feeding, irritability, a high-pitched cry, a bulging fontanel (soft spot on top of the head). Changes in temperament and extreme sleepiness indicate dangerous changes in cerebrospinal fluid.

Warning: A child can be hurt when he is picked up.

Cause:
Meningitis is an inflammation of the two membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. They are called the meninges. In addition, the thin membranes that cover the spinal cord may also be infected. It is a contagious disease.

Causes include several different viruses (including those causing polio, measles, rubella, fungi, yeast infection) and several types of bacteria.

Infection can spread from the nose and throat to the meninges. A depleted immune system (along with nose and throat trouble) can cause it to enter the blood stream and go to the brain.

If not treated properly, a case of flu or ear, nose, and throat infections can develop into meningitis.

Eating heavy meals or taking drugs while sick can cause an infection to drive deeper into the system and enter the brain area.

Other factors aiding in the development of meningitis are alcoholism, brain surgery, brain cancer, exposure to chemical agents, head injury, pneumonia, Lyme disease, syphilis, tuberculosis, or anything that weakens the immune system (chemotherapy, radiation treatment, steroid therapy, HIV infection, and certain types of cancer).

Of the three main types of meningitis, viral infection is more common and produces milder symptoms, such as malaise and headache, which generally clears up on its own in a week or two.

But the bacterial type requires prompt, aggressive treatment—or brain damage or death can result. (Any time a bacterial infection occurs [such as strep throat or an ear infection], eliminate it; do not ignore the problem.)

Fungal meningitis progresses more slowly, but also requires medical care.

Do not guess! Call a physician!

Meningitis is more common in children than adults.


Treatment:
• Meningitis can progress quickly and become life threatening in 24 hours for adults, and even quicker for children. Call a physician.

• Rest in bed in a dimly lit room. Drink plenty of clean liquids. Take cool sponge baths, if there is fever.

• If untreated, permanent brain damage and possible paralysis can result.

• Drink citrus juices, from lemons, oranges, and limes.

• For fever, use catnip tea enemas. The tea can also be sipped.

• Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic. Echinacea boosts the immune system.

• It is best not to eat food during the acute phase. Eating food stops the elimination of toxins from the tissues, so that digestion can begin. This causes the toxins to be thrown still deeper into the system.

• When the acute phase is ended and recovery is beginning, eat a nourishing diet of fruits and vegetables. Fresh pineapple helps reduce the infection.

• Avoid meat, dairy products, caffeine, and salt. Avoid processed, sugared, and white-flour foods.

• If there are no complications, recovery usually takes three weeks under a physician's care.

• Remember: Meningitis is contagious. Those caring for a person with this disease must be very careful, and be sure to obtain adequate rest.