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Hepatitis CAcute hepatitis infectionBacterial infections. Bacteria are single-celled organisms with their instructions written on a small piece of DNA. Bacteria are all around us, including inside of our body and on our skin. Many bacteria are harmless or even helpful, but certain bacteria release toxins that can make you sick.Fungal infections. Like bacteria, there are many different fungi. They live on and in your body. When your fungi get overgrown or when harmful fungi get into your body through your mouth, your nose or a cut in your skin, you can get sick.Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs/prion diseases). TSEs are caused by prions — faulty proteins that cause other proteins in your body, usually in your brain, to become faulty as well. Your body is unable to use these proteins or get rid of them, so they build up and make you sick. Prions are an extremely rare cause of infectious diseases.Meningitis is an infection and swelling, called inflammation, of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.
The inflammation from meningitis most often triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.
Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States. Bacteria, parasites and fungi also can cause it. Sometimes meningitis improves in a few weeks without treatment. But meningitis also can cause death. It often needs quick treatment with antibiotics.
Seek medical care right away if you think that you or someone in your family has meningitis. For meningitis caused by bacteria, early treatment can prevent serious complications.Early meningitis symptoms may be like those of the flu. Symptoms may come on over several hours or over a few days.
Symptoms in people older than 2 years
The following may be symptoms of meningitis in people older than 2 years:
Sudden high fever.
Stiff neck.
Bad headache.
Nausea or vomiting.
Confusion or trouble concentrating.
Seizures.
Sleepiness or trouble waking.
Sensitivity to light.
No desire to eat or drink.
Skin rash sometimes, such as in meningococcal meningitis.
Symptoms in newborns and infants
The following may be symptoms of meningitis in newborns and infants:
High fever.
Constant crying.
Being very sleepy or irritable.
Trouble waking from sleep.
Being not active or sluggish.
Not waking to eat.
Poor feeding.
Vomiting.
A bulge in the soft spot on top of the baby's head.
Stiffness in the body and neck.Urinary tract infectionEndocarditisAcute suppurative meningitis.