Meningitis is a deadly disease in which the membranes of the brain and spinal cord are exposed to inflammation. The disease is caused by one or more microbes, it can be either a virus, a bacterium or a fungus.
Primary meningitis is distinguished when the disease is an independent form and can be caused by a virus or bacterium (this is mainly meningococcus or hemophilic bacillus). More often children, adolescents, and elderly people are ill with them. There is also secondary meningitis, which has no age differences. It occurs as a complication of viral diseases (measles, chickenpox, mumps, rubella) or purulent (otitis, sinusitis, sepsis). Meningitis in kindergarten is the primary process, and most often it is caused by nothing more than meningococcus. Meningococcal meningitis is a form of infection.
What is meningococcal infection?
The disease is caused by a microbe that gets from one person to another by airborne droplets. This bacterium is very contagious, but quickly dies in cool air, so outbreaks are possible with close contact or in people who are in a warm, enclosed area.
80% of cases of primary meningitis are associated with meningococcus, and severe forms almost always occur in children from six months of age (children under 6-10 months are protected from bacteria by maternal antibodies) or adolescents due to the fact that they have not yet managed to develop immunity to it . Therefore, meningococcal meningitis is also called "childhood meningitis" (earlier it was called epidemic cerebrospinal because of contagion).
Each year, there are separate cases of meningococcal infection, then meningococcus group B is recorded. But every three to four years there is an outbreak of meningitis caused by meningococcus group A. Most often, epidemics occur in the winter-spring period, which is associated with a general decrease in immunity in this period, and with the fact that at this time of year the children almost do not walk and are indoors.
There are several forms of meningococcal infection. The most dangerous of them in terms of infectiousness:
- carriage, when a person does not feel sick, while actively for 2-4 weeks releases the bacterium by airborne droplets;
- Meningococcal nasopharyngitis, which is easily tolerated, is often not diagnosed, since it is similar to the usual ARVI.
Other forms of infection are life threatening. This is meningitis (or meningoencephalitis) and meningococcal sepsis (meningococcemia). Meningitis in kindergarten caused by this bacterium does not necessarily occur with a rash, so you do not have to wait for it to appear. As well as the occurrence of an unusual rash, even without any other signs, it is an occasion to call an ambulance (not a local pediatrician, but an ambulance, as the bill sometimes takes minutes).
How is meningococcal meningitis manifested?
The disease almost always begins acutely, but can also develop as a complication of meningococcal nasopharyngitis, then it will be preceded by a slight fever, runny nose, sore throat and discomfort. The first symptoms are a severe headache, which occurs simultaneously with a rise in temperature to high numbers. Vomiting also appears (it is often repeated, after it does not become easier), photophobia. The sensitivity of the skin to ordinary touches increases (they begin to cause discomfort). Meningitis can develop quickly when only 2-3 hours pass from the appearance of a severe headache to impaired consciousness, but it can also proceed slowly.
A violation of consciousness usually looks like inhibition, which turns into doubtfulness, and it becomes difficult for the child to wake up. Sometimes this condition is preceded by convulsions (short-term and longer with impaired consciousness), sometimes - the child’s excitement and inadequacy.
A rash is not an obligatory symptom. With meningococcal infection, the elements of the rash almost always have such characteristics:
- dark color;
- dense to the touch, it seems that they protrude above the surface of the skin;
- most often begin to appear on the hands, feet, legs, forearms, buttocks, on the body and head - then;
- shape - close to the shape of a star;
- there may be areas of necrosis;
- the rash does not fade when you press on it with glass or stretch the skin under it.
Even if there are no such symptoms, just an incomprehensible rash arose against a background of fever, and it does not look like an allergic one, this is an occasion to call an ambulance.
How not to “catch” meningitis in kindergarten?
It is impossible to protect yourself 100% from this disease. But if the child is tempered, do not forget about the preventive intake of vitamins in the cold season, immediately contact the ENT, pediatrician, or infectious disease specialist if coughing, snot, and other signs of acute respiratory viral infections occur, then meningococcus from the nasopharynx can be prevented from getting any further. If a meningococcal infection is found in the kindergarten, it is necessary to consult an infectious disease specialist about the prophylactic use of antibiotics (maybe it makes sense to pass the culture from the nasopharynx). All adults with signs of acute respiratory viral infections in a child should wear a mask.
A large guarantee is given by meningococcal vaccination, which can be given only to children older than two years every three to four years (this depends on the vaccine). After vaccination, only a local reaction and an increase in temperature within 36 hours are usually observed (this indicates the formation of immunity).
Vaccination is especially indicated for children with congenital problems with the central nervous system, since they develop meningitis in kindergarten most often.