Meningitis causes inflammation of the meninges, leading to symptoms such as a stiff neck, fever, and headaches. Bacterial meningitis requires aggressive antibiotic treatment, while viral meningitis usually resolves on its own. Failure to treat meningitis can lead to serious complications, including brain damage and death.
Torticollis is a symptom of meningitis. Caused by infection-related inflammation of the membranous tissue surrounding the brain and spine, a stiff neck is a classic sign of this potentially life-threatening condition. Treatment for stiff neck and meningitis generally requires aggressive antibiotic treatment. In some cases, a procedure to relieve intracranial pressure may be done to prevent brain injury.
Meningitis is usually detected with imaging and laboratory tests. A blood culture is done to determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial. If the infection is bacterial in origin, culture will identify the responsible bacterium. Identifying the cause of the infection is essential to providing appropriate treatment to relieve the infection and reduce inflammation. A spinal tap may also be done to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is tested to determine the extent and type of infection.
The infection can settle anywhere in the body. In the case of stiff neck and meningitis, the infection settles in the nervous system, i.e. in the brain and spinal cord. The infection causes inflammation of the affected membranous tissue, known as the meninges, which houses the brain and spinal cord. As the infection progresses, the inflammation causes blood vessels to constrict leading to neck stiffness, impaired CSF flow, and increased intracranial pressure.
In addition to neck pain, there are many other symptoms associated with meningitis. Individuals with stiff neck and meningitis develop fever, decreased appetite, and may become very tired. Other signs of meningitis include rashes, nausea and headaches. It is not uncommon for some individuals to have seizures. Young children will show stiffness throughout their bodies, irritability, and lack of energy.
If the symptoms of meningitis are ignored, serious complications can occur. Individuals can suffer irreversible brain damage, organ failure and go into shock. In some cases, permanent loss of vision or hearing may also occur. Infection that progresses without treatment can cause death.
Treatment for stiff neck and meningitis depends on the type of infection. The viral infection is usually allowed to run its course without too much risk of complications. Coming down within a couple of weeks of onset, viral meningitis just requires the individual to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. If the infection is bacterial, more aggressive treatment is usually needed.
Bacterial meningitis often requires hospitalization and aggressive intravenous antibiotic therapy to clear the infection from the body. Steroid medications are often given to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort. If complications arise, such as dehydration, additional measures are taken. Individuals at risk of brain damage from a dramatic increase in intracranial pressure may undergo a procedure to have a temporary shunt placed inside the skull to drain excess CSF.
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