In the world there is a fairly large number of diverse viruses that can cause severe diseases. One of the worst is viral meningitis. Symptoms in children and adults, as well as possible causes, treatment methods are given in the article.
Definition
Viral meningitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the lining of the brain. The disease can occur against the background of another disease or be independent. The danger of meningitis is that its symptoms may be similar to manifestations of other diseases. Its rapid development is also noted, which negatively affects the effectiveness of therapy.
Causes of occurrence
The main characteristic feature of viral meningitis is inflammation due to the penetration of pathogenic viruses into the meninges. Often, such conditions can be observed in people whose immunity is weakened due to a previous primary disease or the presence of a history of HIV.
Dangerous viruses can enter the human body through the air, through water or contaminated products. At the same time, it is completely optional that a person becomes ill, but such a danger exists. The most common meningitis of this type is caused by such viruses:
- enterovirus;
- adenovirus;
- herpes virus;
- mumps virus;
- cytomegalovirus;
- coxsackie virus.
In this case, mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects are considered to be carriers of the disease. This determines the frequency of diseases in the spring-summer period. The incubation period is several days after the virus enters a weakened human body.
Classification
How to treat viral meningitis? Therapy depends on the type of disease. According to the form of the course, meningitis can be divided into two categories:
- Primary, in which the disease develops on its own.
- Secondary meningitis - this means that inflammation of the meninges occurred against the background of another disease.
By time of appearance, such subspecies are divided:
- Acute - if the first symptoms appear a few hours after infection. In this case, the incubation period is minimized.
- Subacute, in which symptoms appear after seven to ten days.
- The chronic form involves the late detection of the disease.
Children are considered the most susceptible to viral meningitis, since the serous membrane of their brain does not yet have a strong protective barrier. Adults often experience a bacterial variety of the disease.
Early signs
An extremely important factor is the early detection of painful symptoms. Treatment of viral meningitis in children is quite effective provided that therapy is started on time. Determining the onset of meningitis in a child is quite difficult, since most of its symptoms coincide with the manifestations of an ordinary cold.
Most often, the patient feels these signs:
- A sharp rise in body temperature to 38-39 degrees.
- Intense headache that is difficult to stop with classic painkillers.
- Numbness in the neck muscles. It is caused by difficult outflow of lymph and its stagnation.
- Lack of appetite.
- Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
- Weakness and aches in the body.
In some cases, reddish spots on the head can also be observed, which disappear with pressure.
Main symptoms
What are the main symptoms of viral meningitis in adults? Treatment should be started immediately after the discovery of the following manifestations of the disease:
- Sharp pains in different areas of the head, which are characterized by increased intensity.
- Jumps in body temperature. It can reach 40 degrees. At the same time, it is difficult to bring down the temperature with the help of simple preparations based on paracetamol.
- Hypersensitivity to light, sounds and even touch.
- Permanent dizziness, which intensifies with each turn or tilt of the head.
- Impaired consciousness. In some cases, a coma is possible.
- Frequent vomiting that does not relieve the condition.
- Bouts of diarrhea.
- Sensation of pressure inside the eyeballs.
- The inflammatory process in the lymph nodes, which are closest to the head.
Also, one of the signs of meningitis can be attributed to constant muscle tension, because of which it can be difficult for a patient to straighten his legs at the knees.
In rare cases, non-specific symptoms of the disease, such as:
- increase in blood pressure;
- cramps
- hearing impairment;
- decreased vision.
The doctor’s main task is to recognize the symptoms of viral meningitis, which should be treated immediately.
Features of the disease in children
Specific manifestations of meningitis also change depending on the age of the child. So, for example, in babies under the age of one year, the following symptoms are observed:
- fontanel swelling;
- impaired consciousness.
In children, from one to three years, manifestations such as uncontrolled hyperactivity, which is sharply replaced by paralysis of the limbs, are recorded. Symptoms may also be similar to those of poliomyelitis.
A child over the age of three can have skin rashes, a hypertensive crisis, and sharp headaches.
Diagnostics
Treatment for viral meningitis in children or adults always begins with a preliminary examination and diagnosis. To obtain a complete clinical picture of the disease, the following diagnostic procedures are necessary:
- Visual inspection of a sick person. If his consciousness is not clouded, then you need to collect an anamnesis about his condition, as well as about the symptoms that the patient experiences.
- Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which can be obtained by performing lumbar puncture. With the viral nature of the disease, an increase in leukocytes is observed against a background of normal glucose content.
- A biochemical blood test is necessary to detect an increased globulin fraction of the protein.
- The pathogen can be isolated with a thorough analysis of feces or blood.
With an atypical course of meningitis, such studies will be required to confirm a preliminary diagnosis:
- Electromyography is an assessment of the state of skeletal muscle functions and nerve endings.
- Computed or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
An experienced doctor can suspect a disease only on the basis of the symptoms and complaints of the patient, but this does not mean that there is no need to conduct additional studies.
Treatment principles
The course of the disease is particularly difficult. For this reason, the treatment of viral meningitis is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. At the same time, doctors give such recommendations that contribute to recovery:
- round-the-clock bed rest;
- enhanced nutrition, mainly from easily digestible products;
- compliance with the drinking regime to prevent dehydration;
- physical and psychological peace.
These recommendations must be strictly observed in order to enable the body to suppress the action of the pathogenic virus.
Drug therapy
Treatment of viral meningitis cannot be carried out without comprehensive medical support. For these purposes, the following drugs are used:
- "Nurofen", "Dexalgin" for the relief of severe headache.
- "Acyclovir" and analogues are used if the causative agent of meningitis is the herpes virus.
- "Arbidol", "Adamantan" are necessary if the causative agent of the disease is enterovirus or adenovirus.
- Intravenous infusions of physiological saline or Ringer's solution are necessary for dehydration of the body due to the prolonged preservation of a high body temperature.
- Analgesic "Baralgin", "Analgin", as well as enzyme preparations "Festal", "Pancreatin" are necessary for dyspeptic disorders.
- "Cerucal" is used if the patient has nausea and vomiting.
- "Prednisolone" in the treatment of viral meningitis in a child is prescribed as a strong anti-inflammatory agent.
Also, individually based preparations of immunoglobulin can be prescribed to enhance immunity and improve its ability to independently fight the virus.
Traditional medicine recipes
Treatment of viral meningitis only with the use of folk remedies is not effective, however, some components can have a beneficial effect on the immune system and the body as a whole, which gives high chances for an independent fight against the virus and a speedy recovery. Often, infusions and decoctions of products such as:
- rosehip;
- chamomile;
- Linden blossom;
- leaves and fruits of currant, wild strawberry;
- dandelion;
- St. John's wort
- lavender color;
- mint;
- Melissa;
- rosemary.
To prepare healing broths, you can use one of the proposed components, or you can compose them. Also, the method of preparation, whether it is a decoction, infusion or vitamin tea, does not really matter. It is also considered useful to add natural bee honey to a healing tea as a substitute for sugar.
Possible consequences
Treatment of viral meningitis in adults is often without complications. However, it is more difficult for the child’s body to cope with the disease, therefore, children may subsequently experience symptoms such as
- frequent headaches;
- asthenia;
- inattention;
- memory impairment;
- distraction;
- irritability.
In rare cases, partial or complete paralysis of the limbs is noted. Fortunately, with the timely treatment of viral meningitis, such unpleasant consequences can be avoided. It is also noted that most of them are observed within a few weeks after recovery.
With untimely therapy, the disease can be fatal. This happens in 10% of cases. Most often, children under the age of ten suffer.
Prevention
Comprehensive prevention of the disease is extremely important, as it is quite difficult to treat. The best solution is vaccination, which is given to children from the age of one. Unfortunately, not all young parents agree with this method of prevention. Also, all interested adults under the age of 29 can receive a vaccine.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely protect yourself from the occurrence of meningitis, however, you can work on strengthening the immune system so that it has the opportunity to fight viruses that penetrate the body.