Meningitis is a severe inflammation of meninges, which are membranes that line the brain and entire spinal cord, causing symptoms such as severe headaches, fever, nausea and stiffness in the body, for example.
As an inflammation affecting brain structures, meningitis should be diagnosed as soon as possible by a family doctor or neurologist in order to initiate treatment and prevent the development of injuries that can lead to permanent damage, including Death.
Some symptoms that may indicate possible meningitis include
In infants and children there may be other symptoms that can cause priests to spit out possible meningitis such as high height, irritability, difficulty moving the head and even more tense, with a slightly stiff appearance.
Inflammation of the meninges is usually caused by an infection of cerebrospinal fluid, which is always caused by one of these types of microorganisms:
In addition to strokes, certain medications, and even certain types of chronic diseases, such as lupus, cancer can also cause meningitis, if there is a specific infection.
Because treatment varies depending on the cause of the inflammation, it is very important that your doctor identifies the type of meningitis to initiate the most appropriate treatment; for example, in the case of bacterial meningitis, antibiotics often need to be taken, although in a fungus it is necessary to start using an antifungal, for example.
Transmission of meningitis can vary greatly depending on the type of microorganism that causes inflammation, in the case of viral meningitis the risk of transmission is very low, but even the virus could spread to another person, usually not to produce meningitis, but as a sick person, such as measles mumps, for example, depending on the type of disease. Virus.
In the case of bacterial meningitis, transmission is easier and can be caused by sharing the same plate of food or drops of saliva that can be transmitted through stalks, starlings or even the tongue, for example. Also, when the infected person uses bathing and does not wash their hands properly, they can also spread the bacteria. Appreciation of hands, pampering and sharing most personal items do not pose a health risk. See how meningitis is diagnosed.
The best type of meningitis prevention is vaccination, which protects against the main microorganisms that can produce the disease, in this way, bacteria that usually cause meningitis, the risk of developing the disease is very low in contact with the virus.
In addition, some measures that also help reduce the risk of meningitis include:
People with meningitis may also take certain precautions to avoid getting the disease, such as washing their hands often, avoiding going to public places, and covering their mouths and noses when they have to stop them, for example.
Treatment of meningitis depends on its cause and can be treated with antibiotics, antivirals or corticosteroids in hospitals. Some drugs that can be used in bacterial meningitis are cefotaxima, ampicillin or aciclovir, in the case of viral meningitis and, depending on the severity of meningitis. the disease, the patient can remain in the intensive care unit.
Treatment should start more prepared to reduce the risk of complications, the duration of treatment of meningitis is 5 to 10 days and during the first 24 hours of treatment the person should remain isolated to prevent transmission of the disease. friends and family for a minimum of 10 days as they can become infected.
If treatment does not start properly, permanent sequelae may occur in the form of hearing loss of vision.
Meningitis can produce sequelae that affect both patients’ physical, intellectual and psychological abilities, even if there is a lack of balance, memory loss and vision problems.
In general, bacterial meningitis produces sequences less frequently and severely than viral meningitis, however, both can lead to complications that affect people’s quality of life, especially in children.
The most common causes of this disease are
Cured meningitis patients may have minor and serious injuries that require special care for the rest of their lives, or not.
Meningitis follow-up is followed by the following guidelines, so hearing aids may need to be used to improve hearing, prosthetics to replace amputee limbs, and physical therapy to improve balance and movement.
In addition, the use of medications may be necessary to control problems such as arthritis, seizures and agitation, as well as psychotherapy that helps to cope and accept the consequences of the disease, working with both the patient and family members and caregivers.
There are many ways to minimize harm or even prevent the development of the disease, for example through vaccination.
Vaccines are available against certain types of meningococcal meningitis type A, C, W135 and Y because they can prevent the onset of the disease. Also, if you need to avoid crowded areas, choose ventilated areas and clean properly and stay in places where they went.
In case the patient is diagnosed and treated early, the chances there will decrease.