An infectious viral disease in which headaches, fever, and vomiting are observed is called enterovirus meningitis. The symptoms of this serious ailment should be known to everyone. This type of meningitis is quite common. Moreover, recently this disease is diagnosed more and more often.
Enteroviral meningitis: symptoms
The first signs of the disease can be detected a week after infection, before this the so-called incubation period lasts . Residents of large cities, mainly children of primary preschool age, are most prone to such an ailment as enterovirus meningitis. Symptoms begin to manifest with catarrhal phenomena: cough, runny nose, loose stools. This disease is especially dangerous for newborns and children up to 2-3 months. At this age, enteroviral damage to the central nervous system, as a rule, is an element of severe systemic diseases, such as myocarditis, liver necrosis, intravascular coagulation, necrotizing enterocolitis. In this case, the disease is bacterial sepsis. In this case, the disease can be detected in 27-62% of children infected with enterovirus infection.
If older children or adults fall ill with an ailment such as enterovirus meningitis, the symptoms in this case will be more sudden and acute. Severe headaches, photophobia, a sharp increase in temperature to 38-40 º, stiff neck are observed. Some patients experience vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rash, and pharyngitis.
Related to a disease such as acute meningitis, symptoms in young children may include stiff neck and protruding fontanel. Also, fever, poor sleep, irritability, diarrhea, rhinitis can be observed.
As a rule, recovery after enteroviral meningitis occurs within 7-10 days. In most cases, residual effects are not observed.
Causes of the disease
Coxaki A, B, ECHO, enteroviruses 68 and 71 serotypes can cause enteroviral meningitis. Each of the enteroviruses has many serotypes. Epidemic outbreaks of this disease occur mainly in the summer-autumn season.
Treatment for Enterovirus Meningitis
With the disease, bed rest is mandatory. Brain meningitis is treated with analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiemetic and sedatives. Also, along with the general treatment of the disease, drugs are prescribed that improve the well-being of the patient. Such drugs help eliminate nausea, reduce intracranial pressure, improve the functioning of brain vessels, etc.
Prevention of Meningitis
You can protect yourself from this disease by observing simple rules:
- careful observance of personal hygiene standards;
- hygiene of the house, the destruction of all insects and rodents in office and residential premises;
- timely treatment of colds;
- compliance with the principles of healthy eating;
- regular exercise and walks in the fresh air;
- vaccination.