Question 1

is meningitis a dangerous disease?

Accepted Answer

Depends on agent: Meningitis is defined as an inflamation(generally caused by infection) of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.The agent may be bacterial (like strep/staph/meningococcus); viral, fungal or parocitic.Some viral cases are mild & resolve without special rx. Most bacterial are deadly if untreated  & may damage even with rx. Fungal & paracitic causes are also deadly & often harder to rx.

Question 2

is meningitis a communicable disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Bacterial and viral meningitis are contagious.

Question 3

what can the disease meningitis cause like can it cause respitory faliure?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: If someone has severe meningitis the germ may also trigger total system failure, including respiratory failure. This would be more common in the Meningococcal meningitis than many others as it can produce toxic agents that effect the blood pressure and circulation early in the illness.

Question 4

could meningitis cause any other type of disorder, as part of long term effects?

Accepted Answer

Long term: There is a chance of long term neurological issues.  If you are concerned, speak to the pcp  or neurologist that treated you.

Question 5

is meningitis a disease of the skeletal system?

Accepted Answer

No: Although the same germ can cause infection of the bones or joints, meningitis is located in the meninges.These are the specific layers of membranes that cover the brain and extend down into the spinal canal.

Question 6

how can you distinguish between meningitis and lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Testing: Lyme disease can sometimes cause an inflamation of the coverings of the brain ( meninges) and thus cause meningitis. Meningitis is a location specific process and can be caused by a number of bacteria, viruses & other agents. Lyme disease usually presents by affecting other parts of the body. Blood & spinal fluid tests can define the cause of meningitis.

Question 7

i want to know what is the difference between meningitis and lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Apples and oranges: Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, uncommon with lyme disease.  Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, can kill in hours.  Nervous system can be involved in lyme disease, but less commonly and not acute.

Question 8

are the symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome similar in any way?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Both meningitis and shaken baby can present with seizures and altered mental status. Meningitis, however, usually presents with fever. 
Newborns and infants do not even have to have fever and can present with low temperature or change in mental status with meningitis, so to answer your question it can be difficult to tell without additional studies like ct scans and spinal fluid results.

Question 9

do you know are symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome in any way similar?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: Shaken baby syndrome can cause a chemical menningitis if there is bleeding into the cerebral spinal fluid outside the brain. Best discuss this with the childs doctor.

Question 10

is meningitis from lyme disease contagious?

Accepted Answer

Lyme meningitis: The short answer is no.  More information is available at: 
http://www.Merckmanuals.Com/home/print/brain_spinal_cord_and_nerve_disorders/meningitis/chronic_meningitis.Html.

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A member asked:

Is meningitis a dangerous disease?

A member asked:

Is meningitis a communicable disease?

A member asked:

What can the disease meningitis cause like can it cause respitory faliure?

A member asked:

Could meningitis cause any other type of disorder, as part of long term effects?

A member asked:

Is meningitis a disease of the skeletal system?

A member asked:

How can you distinguish between meningitis and lyme disease?

A member asked:

I want to know what is the difference between meningitis and lyme disease?

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome similar in any way?

A member asked:

Do you know are symptoms of meningitis and shaken baby syndrome in any way similar?

A member asked:

Is meningitis from lyme disease contagious?

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