Illness and Meningitis

• Meningitis can affect people with a weakened immune system. People suffering from AIDS, diabetes and other illnesses that weaken the immune system have a higher risk factor.
  
  

Medications and Meningitis

• Immunosuppresant drugs used by people for illnesses that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS and diabetes, create a higher risk factor for meningitis.
  
  

Allergies and Meningitis

• Noninfectious causes, such as drug allergies; inflammatory diseases, such as lupus; and some types of cancer create a higher risk factor.
  
  

Symptoms of Meningitis

• Symptoms of meningitis include:
  
  •High fever
  •Severe headache
  •Vomiting
  •Confusion
  •seizures
  •Sleepiness
  •Stiff neck
  •Sensitivity to light
  
  Early signs include:
  
  •Leg pain
  •Pale skin
  •Ice cold feet and hands
  
  Signs in newborns:
  
  •Excessive sleepiness
  •Constant crying
  •Poor feeding
  •Bludgee in the soft spot
  •Stiffness in body or neck
  
  

Preventing Meningitis

• Help to protect yourself from meningitis by:
  •Washing your hands frequently.
  •Stay healthy.
  •Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
  
  

Complications of Meningitis

• Complications of meningitis include:
  
  •Seizures
  •Hearing loss
  •blindness
  •Loss of speech
  •Learning disabilities
  •Behavior problems
  •Brain damage
  •Paralysis
  •Kidney failure
  •Adrenal gland failure
  
  ,