Meningococcal meningitis: symptoms and treatment
Meningococcal meningitis is a rare type of bacterial meningitis, caused by the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis, which causes severe inflammation of the membranes lining the brain, generating symptoms such as very high fever, severe headaches and nausea, for example.
- Meningococcal meningitis usually occurs in spring and winter.
- Especially affecting children and the elderly.
- Although it can also occur in adults.
- Especially when there are other diseases that weaken the immune system.
Meningococcal meningitis is curable, but treatment should be initiated as soon as possible to avoid serious and life-threatening neurological sequelae; for example, whenever meningitis is suspected, you should go to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.
See what tests can be used to confirm meningitis
The most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include:
On the other hand, meningococcal meningitis can also cause other symptoms such as tense slowness, restlessness, intense crying, stiffness and seizures, since it is more difficult for the baby to understand the problem that causes intense crying, it is best to always consult a pediatrician, especially if there is a change with fever or changes in the weak spot.
Because meningococcal meningitis is considered an emergency, you should go to the emergency room as soon as you suspect a possible meninge infection, in such cases, your doctor may be suspicious of the disease through symptoms, but a lumbar puncture is necessary.to identify bacteria in the spinal cord and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of meningococcal meningitis should be done as soon as possible in the hospital with an injection of antibiotics into the vein, such as ceftriaxone, for approximately 7 days.
During treatment, family members should wear protective masks each time they visit the patient, as the transmission of meningococcal meningitis occurs through respiratory secretions, but there is no need to remain isolated.
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that line the brain, caused by the presence of the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis, which usually first infects other parts of the body, such as the skin, intestine or lungs, and then reaches the brain, where it develops and causes a large inflammation of the meninges.
In rarer cases, this bacteria can enter the brain directly, especially if there has been a serious head injury, such as during a traffic accident or brain surgery, for example.
Prevention of meningococcal meningitis can be performed with the use of meningitis vaccines included in the infant vaccination schedule, as well as other precautions such as:
In addition, people who have been in close contact with another infected person should consult a GP to assess the possibility that they may also have been affected by the bacteria, initiating the use of antibiotics, if necessary.
See a more complete list of treatments to prevent meningitis
Because meningitis affects the brain membranes, there is a very high risk of complications such as:
The aftermath of meningococcal meningitis usually occurs when treatment is not done correctly or when it starts too late.To better understand the possible consequences of meningitis.