Understanding Meningitis in Adults Over 60
Although meningitis is often considered a young person’s disease, with the majority of the population considering the illness heavily connected with young people or babies, it can affect every age group. In fact, for older adults, the stakes are significantly higher.
At Blossom Home Care, we ensure that all our carers know the early signs and symptoms, and you should too. In our guide to meningitis in adults over 60, we cover the symptoms, causes, and when you may be more susceptible.
Meningitis Symptoms in the Elderly
Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. The symptoms of meningitis in adults are the same as in children and babies, and include:
● Headache
● Fever
● Nausea
● Confusion
● Drowsiness
● Stiff neck
● Sensitivity to light
● Seizures
● Rash
Meningitis symptoms in the elderly can develop quickly and may be confused with other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. In addition, not all symptoms may appear in every case. If you think you or a loved one could have meningitis, call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E. If you’re not sure whether it’s meningitis, call 111 for NHS medical advice.
Meningitis can often be prevented with a vaccine, which is particularly important for those with weakened immune systems. The most common type of meningitis in adults is pneumococcal meningitis, which is why the pneumococcal vaccine for adults over 65 is so important. When you turn 65, you should be invited to your GP surgery to receive a single dose of the meningitis vaccine.
Most Common Causes of Meningitis in the Elderly
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
● Viral meningitis — This occurs when a viral infection, such as influenza, causes the meninges to swell. This is the most common type of meningitis in the UK.
● Bacterial meningitis — Some types of bacteria can infect the meninges. This is a rarer, more serious type of meningitis and can be fatal if left untreated.
While it’s possible to contract meningitis from someone with the infection, patients usually fall ill with viruses or bacteria and go on to develop meningitis. People can carry viruses or bacteria without knowing, and spread them through coughing, sneezing and kissing others.
Elderly Risk Factors for Meningitis
All adults are at risk of contracting meningitis, but you are more likely to fall ill if you have a weaker immune system. This is why the infection is most common in babies, children, teenagers, young adults and the elderly.
It’s found that younger and older people are at greater risk of meningitis when living in groups, such as nurseries, schools, dormitories, hospitals and care homes. People in these situations are more likely to come into contact with the viruses or bacteria that cause meningitis.
The following conditions can also cause you to have a weakened immune system and constitute additional risk factors for meningitis:
● Cancer — Cancer can spread into your bone marrow, which makes blood cells that help fight infections. Some cancer treatments also temporarily weaken your immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells made in your bone marrow.
● Diabetes — Diabetes causes chronic high blood sugar, which places stress on many parts of your body and damages blood vessels. Along with blood, immune cells are therefore slower to arrive at sites of infection.
● HIV — Human immunodeficiency virus weakens your immune system and increases your risk of serious illness, such as meningitis. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease and may not cause symptoms for many years.
● Coeliac disease — Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder. While your body should function normally if you avoid eating gluten, consumption can compromise your immune system.
● Medicine — You may be given immunosuppressants if you suffer from an autoimmune disease or have recently received an organ transplant. These medicines prevent your immune system from mistakenly attacking healthy cells.
Recovery from Meningitis in the Elderly
Bacterial meningitis is treated the same way in people of all ages: through antibiotics, fluids and oxygen. Patients with viral meningitis often recover at home with rest and painkillers.
When treated quickly, most people with bacterial meningitis recover fully. In some cases, meningitis in adults over 60 can result in long-term problems, such as:
● Hearing loss
● Vision loss
● Epilepsy
● Memory and concentration problems
● Coordination and balance problems
● Loss of limbs, if amputation was necessary
Given other health challenges that older adults can face, recovery from meningitis in the elderly is extremely important. If you have recently suffered from meningitis, it’s worth considering rehabilitation home care to get you back on your feet after the proper treatment.
Spotting Meningitis Symptoms in the Elderly at Blossom Home Care
Our compassionate carers are trained to support every aspect of your wellbeing and bring your bespoke care plan to life. Whether you benefit from regular private home care visits or round-the-clock care, our team become familiar with how you like to live.
By knowing your preferences and liaising with your multidisciplinary team where relevant, carers can identify when something isn’t right — such as when you may be showing symptoms of meningitis — and get medical help as soon as possible. We take every precaution to help our clients, especially during meningitis outbreaks.
At Blossom Home Care, our clients are our priority. Browse our services for more information about the different types of home care and find more elderly health tips on our blog. Please contact your nearest office with questions about arranging at-home care. We look forward to helping you continue to thrive in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.