Meningitis is a severe inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that line the brain and the entire spinal cord, generating symptoms such as severe headache, fever, nausea and neck stiffness, for example.
As an inflammation affecting brain structures, meningitis should be identified as soon as possible by a gpation or neurologist to initiate treatment and prevent the development of injuries that could lead to permanent sequelae or even death. .
- Inflammation of the meninges usually occurs due to an infection of the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Which is almost always caused by one of these types of microorganisms:.
In addition, severe strokes, certain medications, and even certain types of chronic diseases, such as lupus or cancer, can also cause meningitis, without having a specific infection.
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the inflammation, it is very important for your doctor to identify the type of meningitis to start the most appropriate treatment. For example, in the case of bacterial meningitis, antibiotics are usually necessary, while in the case of fungi, it is necessary to start using an antifungal, for example.
Learn more about types of meningitis
Symptoms that may indicate possible meningitis include:
Other symptoms may also occur in infants and children that lead parents to suspect possible meningitis such as strong crying, easy irritability, difficulty moving the head, and even a softer, slightly swollen point.
Transmission of meningitis can vary considerably, depending on the type of microorganism that causes inflammation. In the case of viral meningitis, the risk of transmission is very low because, while the virus may be transmitted to the other person, it does not usually cause meningitis, but another disease, such as mumps or measles, for example, as the case may be. type of virus.
In the case of meningitis caused by bacteria, this transmission is easier and can be done by sharing the same plate of food or by droplets of saliva, which can go through coughing, sneezing, kissing or talking, for example. In addition, when the infected person uses the bathroom and does not wash his hands properly, he or she can also transmit the bacteria.
Handshakes, hugs, and sharing most personal items pose no health risk.
The best type of meningitis prevention is to have a vaccine, which protects against the main microorganisms that can cause the disease. Thus, even if one comes into contact with viruses or bacteria that usually cause meningitis, the risk of developing the disease is very low. Discover the main types of meningitis vaccines and when to take them.
In addition, some measures that also help reduce the risk of meningitis include:
People with meningitis should also be careful not to pass on the disease, such as washing their hands frequently, avoiding going to public places, and covering their mouths and nose when coughing or sneezing, for example.
Watch the video below and learn how to wash your hands and how important they are to prevent infectious diseases:
Treatment of meningitis depends on its cause and can be treated with antibiotics, antiviral drugs or corticosteroids in hospitals. Some drugs that can be used in bacterial meningitis are cefotaxima and ampicillin, or aciclovir, in case of viral meningitis, and depending on the severity of the disease, the patient may remain in the intensive care unit.
Treatment should be implemented quickly to reduce the risk of complications. The duration of treatment of meningitis is approximately 5 to 10 days, and within the first 24 hours of treatment, the person should be isolated to avoid transmission of the disease to others. It is important to monitor your friends and family for at least 10 days, as they may already be infected.
If treatment does not start properly, permanent sequelae, such as vision loss or hearing, may occur. Learn more about how different types of meningitis are treated.