Meningitis: Long-Term Problems
Topic Overview
People who have bacterial
meningitis may have long-term complications,
including:
- Permanent brain damage. Meningitis can cause
long-term problems such as hearing loss (ranging from slight to total),
learning problems (including intellectual disabilities), seizures, vision problems
(including blindness), paralysis of one or more parts of the body, behavior
problems, or personality changes.
- Long-term physical problems. Heart, liver, or
intestinal problems or deformities of the arms and legs can develop. These
usually occur in newborns and young children.
Vulnerable child
syndrome is a condition that can occur after a child recovers from any serious
illness. Parents worry that their child will become sick again and try to
protect the child from all illnesses. If the child notices the parents' worry, he
or she may develop behavioral problems.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerW. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Current as ofApril 6, 2017
Current as of:
April 6, 2017