Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord is called meningitis. There are several types of meningitis. Given the nature of the inflammation, they can be purulent, serous-fibrinous, serous, and hemorrhagic. With the course - acute, subacute, chronic. According to the localization of the inflammatory process, meningitis is generalized and local, according to the etiology - viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal. In the process of irritation of the meninges, intracranial pressure increases , hypesthesia appears, stiff neck muscles, paresis and paralysis of the extremities, dilated pupils, visual and hearing impairment, ataxia, strabismus is possible.
Meningitis: symptoms, methods of treatment
As a rule, the symptoms of meningitis in the disease are accompanied by general depression, hyperthermia, headache, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Often pain occurs in the neck and lower back, hemorrhages of different sizes sometimes appear on the skin. It should be noted that in a disease, meningitis symptoms depend on the type of ailment. For example, viral meningitis has symptoms similar to the signs of an infectious disease that triggered it. This type of meningitis is considered the most dangerous, the signs of the disease, which appear after a few days, are not very pronounced. As a rule, in patients with a diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis, symptoms occur against a background of general weakness and fever. Within a few days, headache, nausea, and vomiting appear. In patients diagnosed with meningitis, symptoms usually appear on 3-4 days.
The therapy is symptomatic and is aimed at eliminating the main signs of the disease, dangerous to human life and health. To reduce the amount of fluid in the cells and tissues of the body, diuretic drugs are used. The mechanism of their action is associated with increased urination, while they inhibit the reabsorption of sodium ions in the tubules of the kidneys, resulting in a decrease in water re-absorption. With cerebral edema, dehydration drugs (mannitol, urorogluk, lasix) are effective. Urogluk is a lyophilized urea solution, which is prepared before use. Contraindications to the use of the drug are kidney diseases. The most effective anti-edematous drug is lasix, its effect manifests itself after a few minutes. It is proved that corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone) have an anti-edematous effect. Approximately 12 hours after their use, a decrease in intracranial pressure occurs. To normalize blood microcirculation, reopoliglyukin, mannitol, furosemide are used. In the presence of symptoms of toxic shock, hormonal drugs (hydrocortisone, prednisone, cortin, etc.) are used in combination with ascorbic acid, cardiac drugs (cordiamine, strophanthin), adrenomimetics (ephedrine, mesatone). As a specific therapy, vaccines and serums are used. Young children are vaccinated against meningitis at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months with re-vaccination at 12 months. A vaccine against pneumococcal infection also protects against the development of meningitis. For patients over sixty-five years of age, it is recommended to use the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Complex vaccines against rubella, mumps and measles are especially popular, their use protects the child from those meningitis that develop against the background of these diseases.
Prevention of Meningitis
In addition to vaccinations, you should adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, avoid contact with the source of infection, as well as carriers of meningococcal infection. Some types of meningitis can be transmitted by airborne droplets when sneezing, coughing, or kissing. Personal hygiene items should be individual (towel, toothbrush).