Possible Complications of Bacterial Meningitis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 5 people who have bacterial meningitis may develop long term complications such as:
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Vision difficulties
- Limb weakness
- Severe brain damage
- Speech, language, memory, or communication problems
- Scarring or limb amputation due to sepsis
Sepsis
According to the WHO, sepsis frequently follows bacterial meningitis. The body’s severe reaction to an infection is known as sepsis. Organ failure and ultimately death can occur rapidly in cases of sepsis.
A person should get emergency medical assistance if their infection is not improving. A medical emergency is sepsis.
Sepsis symptoms include:
- high heart rate [7]
- low blood pressure [8]
- fever [9]
- shivering [10]
- feeling very cold [11]
- confusion or disorientation [12]
- shortness of breath [13]
- extreme pain or discomfort
- clammy or sweaty skin [14]