The signs of meningitis are worth considering in detail. This disease affects the population of some African countries 40-50 times more often than Europeans. Such damage to the body is treated only in the hospital. Without timely medical intervention, the death rate is high.
Causative agents of meningitis
This is a serious disease in which the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. A specific single pathogen in the case of this disease cannot be distinguished. Signs of meningitis can appear as a result of the action of a wide range of microorganisms. They can be conditionally grouped into two groups:
- Bacteria causing purulent meningitis (pneumococcus, hemophilic bacillus, meningococcus). Less commonly, Escherichia coli, streptococci, protozoa mycoplasmas, fungi, helminths, amoeba and other microorganisms.
- Causing serous meningitis. Enterovirus, less commonly the herpes virus and mumps. The cause may be syphilis, tuberculosis, HIV infection.
Causes for Meningitis
The presence of the pathogen in the human body is not always a sufficient reason for the manifestation of signs of meningitis. So far, all mechanisms of the occurrence of this disease have not been thoroughly studied. But some reasons stand out for the occurrence of this brain lesion:
- A significant weakening of the body's immunity as a result of various factors.
- As a complication after various operations and diseases.
- The emergence of new unvaccinated forms of the pathogen.
- Other, less common causes.
Signs of Meningitis
Inflammation of the hard membranes of the brain is rare (pachymeningitis). In clinical practice, inflammation of the soft and arachnoid membranes of the brain is often called meningitis. This is a common variant of the disease (leptomeningitis).
Now the deaths of this disease are significantly reduced. This occurs as a result of effective treatment, but the main factor is a timely visit to a specialist. To do this, you need to know the signs of meningitis.
Symptoms of this brain damage:
- Progressive deterioration in well-being and fever.
- Muscle pain and cramps.
- Hyperesthesia (not always).
- A headache that is growing rapidly. Strengthens with various irritants (change of body position, loud sound and active light).
- Signs that define a specific pathogen. Runny nose and pneumonia - pneumococcus. Rash - meningococcus. Intestinal Disorders - Enterovirus infection. Pathology of the salivary glands - mumps.
In the future, the development of meningitis (about a day later) is accompanied by confusion, drowsiness, irritability. In the later stages, paralysis of the extremities, difficulty swallowing may occur. The disease leads to cerebral edema and falls into a stupor or coma (similar to a stroke). There is a risk of death.
In order to conduct effective treatment, the diagnosis is clarified using lumbar puncture and laboratory studies of various traditional (feces, blood, urine) and special tests (bacteriological examination of mucus from the nasopharyngeal passages).
Treatment and prevention
The treatment of meningitis is quite difficult even in inpatient departments. The course of prescribed drugs and the timing of their use depend on the clinic of meningitis and the presence of complications. The transience of the disease causes a large percentage of deaths.
Viral and bacterial meningitis is contagious. Especially some of its forms. Therefore, vaccinations against meningitis are used as a preventive measure. In Russia, vaccinations against some pathogens of this disease (measles, mumps and others) are mandatory.
Other non-specific preventive measures are: avoiding contact with people with meningitis, refusal to travel to African countries, limiting bathing in open waters.