The cricketing fraternity was left shaken by the news of ex-Australian batsman Damien Martyn’s hospitalisation owing to meningitis. Damien may be well-known for his gracious cricketing skills, but the incident has reminded one and all that meningitis can attack anybody, and recovery from meningitis requires careful knowledge. For those belonging to the younger population, the mention of ‘meningitis’ may remind one of the injections received during childhood, but the knowledge related to the recovery stages is imperative.
Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain. It may be either viral or bacterial, with bacterial meningitis being a medical emergency. The main difficulty with meningitis is that it initially presents symptoms of a bad case of flu.
Key symptoms to watch for include:
Sudden onset of mild temperatures and chilling of hands and/or feet.
A severe headache that is somewhat different from an ordinary migraine.
Stiff neck (inability to touch your chin to your chest).
Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia).
Confusion, irritability, or excessive sleepiness.
Glass test rash: Rash of small red or purple patches that do not blanch when a glass is pressed against the skin.
Redress and recovery
In the case of suspected meningitis, the biggest concern is time. According to medical professionals, the "wait and see" method must not be considered, and immediate care must be sought. Doctors usually perform a lumbar puncture to verify a diagnosis and start high-dose medication, such as antibiotics or antivirals, before the test results are received.
Usually, recovery is not something that happens overnight. Even though there are people who easily bounce back, there are those who go through a tough journey with chronic exhaustion, hearing problems, or memory deficits. Rest is extremely important, and many patients undergo rehabilitation before getting back to normal.
Prevention is the best medicine
While the strains cannot all be prevented, being fully vaccinated is the best way to protect against them. In the UK, different vaccinations protect against different forms of the disease, including the MenACWY and MenB vaccinations. In addition to medical preventative techniques, keeping your immune system strong through healthy living and not sharing drinks or eating utensils is an effective preventative method to avoid meningitis.
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