What is Waterhouse syndrome?
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (WFS) is a group of symptoms resulting from the failure of the adrenal glands to function normally as a result of bleeding into the gland. Meningococcemia is a life-threatening infection that occurs when the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis invades the blood stream.
How common is Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome?
Waterhouse Friderichsen syndrome is a rare condition seen in about 1 percent of routine autopsies. [21] No such prevalence studies have taken place so far. It is more common in children compared to adults.
How does Neisseria cause adrenal hemorrhage?
Typically, it is caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The bacterial infection leads to massive bleeding into one or (usually) both adrenal glands….
| Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hemorrhagic adrenalitis |
| The adrenal glands lie above the kidneys | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Causes | Bacterial infection |
How do you pronounce Waterhouse Friderichsen?
Phonetic spelling of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
- Water-house-Frid-erich-sen syn-drome.
- Water-house-Friderich-sen syn-drome.
- waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome.
What is meningococcal Septicaemia?
Meningococcal septicemia (aka meningococcemia) Doctors call septicemia (a bloodstream infection) caused by Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels.
What is short Synacthen test?
Notes. The short Synacthen test is a test of adrenal insufficiency which can be used as a screening procedure in the non-critically ill patient. The test is based on the measurement of serum cortisol before and after an injection of synthetic ACTH (also known as tetracosactrin).
What is adrenal hemorrhage?
Adrenal hemorrhage is bleeding from a ruptured vessel into the adrenal gland(s). It may affect one or both adrenal glands. Adrenal hemorrhage might lead to adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands don’t make enough of the hormone cortisol.
Can adults get meningococcal disease?
Invasive meningococcal infection is most common in babies and young children, and older teenagers and young adults, but infection can occur at any age. Symptoms may include high fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, and severe muscle and joint pains.
What are the symptoms of low cortisol levels?
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You may have more symptoms if you have untreated Addison’s disease or damaged adrenal glands due to severe stress, such as from a car accident or an infection. These symptoms include sudden dizziness, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.