One of the most formidable diseases that can lead to serious, and in certain cases, irreversible consequences, is meningitis. How to become infected with this disease, or rather, how to avoid it, is a very important issue and requires detailed consideration. In particular, those people whose immunity is weakened for any reason should be taken seriously of their own health. At risk are also small children. The fact is that their immune system is not yet fully formed.
What is this disease
Before talking about the treatment of “meningitis” infection, how to get infected and how to avoid it, we will define the disease itself. It is caused by a special kind of viruses - meningococci. Penetrating the membrane of the spinal cord or brain, they cause severe inflammation. Any person is a carrier of a huge number of different viruses, which in principle can also provoke meningitis. However, to get on the meninges, they need to go through several serious barriers. Of course, they can overcome them, but only with a weakening of immunity.
Main symptoms
The main signs by which infection can be determined are high temperature (39–40 ° C) and vomiting. Sometimes convulsions are observed, as well as various kinds of rashes on the skin. A person becomes lethargic and complains of headaches. All this can be symptoms of both ordinary flu and a formidable disease such as meningitis. How to get infected with it is easiest and what preventive measures to take, we will talk further in the article. But first of all, you need to remember that when these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor without waiting. In the case of diagnosing the disease, antibiotic treatment is usually prescribed and a dropper is placed to remove toxins from the body.
Meningitis: how to get sick
Meningococci are dangerous primarily because they are transmitted by airborne droplets. Infection also occurs through unwashed vegetables and fruits, when bathing in dirty ponds, as well as in crowded places. The widespread belief that meningitis can get sick while walking in the winter along the street without a hat is nothing more than a myth. In this case, only a person who was originally a carrier of the virus can get sick, which in certain cases does not manifest itself and dies over time. Subcooling just creates the conditions for its rapid development.
Preventive actions
So, what should be done to avoid such a formidable disease as meningitis ( we have already found out how to get infected with it most easily)? With weakened immunity, you should not visit places with a large crowd of people. Personal hygiene should also be observed. However, the most radical means of prevention at the moment is, of course, vaccination.
For example, Baxter NeisVac-C, a drug often used by doctors, can very well prevent a disease like meningitis. The Russians have generally positive reviews about him, and in Germany his injection is generally mandatory for everyone. Of course, no vaccination can give a 100% guarantee. However, in a vaccinated person, even if infected, the disease will be much milder.