Serous meningitis is a lesion of the membranes of the brain that is accompanied by serous inflammation. The causative agents of the disease are viruses, fungi or bacteria. Most often, viral meningitis occurs in children and adolescents. For adults, this disease is a rarity.
Meningitis: transmission routes and causes of the disease
Basically, the disease occurs against the background of damage to the body by enteroviruses. It is extremely rare, but it also happens that the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis becomes the cause of the disease. In addition, serous meningitis can result from diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, or develop with HIV infection. Recently, cases of serous meningitis of bacterial etiology have become more frequent. What is it characterized by? With a disease, the membranes of the brain become thicker, its edema occurs. However, brain cells do not die, as in bacterial purulent meningitis. That is why this form of the disease is considered milder and less dangerous for the patient. The disease is transmitted mainly in three ways: airborne, contact and water. The incubation period, as a rule, is about 4 days.
Symptoms of Meningitis
As soon as the incubation period of the disease is over, the disease manifests itself quite aggressively. On the first or second day, a pronounced meningeal syndrome begins to appear: fever with an increase in temperature to 40 degrees, which passes in two stages.
The second
sign of serous meningitis can safely be called an enduring headache, which intensifies with movement and is not relieved by painkillers. Another symptom of the disease is nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The child may experience a suspension syndrome - when, when lifting the baby by the armpits, he reflexively bends his legs. As a rule, serous
viral meningitis passes quite quickly. Somewhere after 5 days, the temperature normalizes and the disease recedes. But it is worth remembering that in each case, the symptoms may differ or be less pronounced.
Disease treatment
Prevention of serous meningitis, of course, helps protect the body from disease. But if you still get sick, you should know the main thing - serous meningitis is caused by viruses, and antibiotics are completely useless here. They can only be prescribed to you until the diagnosis is made accurately. Broadly prescribed antiviral drugs are mainly prescribed. These include Interferon and Arpetol, and Acyclovir may also be prescribed. If the patient's immunity is greatly weakened, then a course of immunoglobulin can be prescribed. The patient is certainly shown bed rest.
Serous Meningitis Prevention
At a time when outbreaks of meningitis are possible, it is worth restricting swimming in open waters. You should only drink boiled water, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene and wash vegetables and fruits. In general, the entire prevention of serous meningitis comes down to following the elementary rules about which we all know. But there is another method that can prevent the ailment. In early childhood, a vaccine is given against meningitis, which lasts about 4 years. Well and most importantly - consume more vitamins, and then the immune system will cope with any ailment. Remember, the prevention of serous meningitis is much simpler and easier to treat!