Among the numerous diseases that face humanity, meningitis is one of the most dangerous. Many diseases, even such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, can be transferred to the "legs", although there could be dire consequences, but hearing the slightest suspicion of the doctor on meningitis, almost everyone, even not having malomalski medical education, understands that to stay at home is dangerous, so you should agree to an immediate hospitalization. What is so dangerous meningitis?
The disease is infectious in nature, which are the cause of a variety of microbes that enter the body and cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis has various forms and degrees of severity of the speed and frequency of occurrence, but at least it is a disease and has a different etiology, the symptoms of its varieties, mostly similar and at the same time there is a real threat life.
More prone to the disease are children, although adult at any age is also not immune to meningitis. Statistics show that boys are dying from this disease is 2-4 times more often than girls, although the facts proved why this happens is still not there. The disease begins to develop from the time when the pathogen enters the area of the skull and is thus inflammation of the brain membranes.
There are various types of pathogens that cause meningitis:
- viral
- bacterial
- fungal
The penetration of the pathogen into the body
- Purulent meningitis,which is the causative agent of meningococcal infection, transmission from person to person occurs through airborne droplets
- Serous type, cause of the disease which is the enterovirus infection except droplet paths is transmitted also by the fecal-oral route, which are the main source of dirty hands. Likewise, the infection is transmitted through everyday objects used by an infected person. "Pick up" type of serous meningitis may in swimming pools and ponds
- During sexual intercourse
- In the process of childbirthfrom my mother-child
- through bloodan infected person
- through bites tick-borne Encephalitis
- Unlike primary bacterial and viral meningitis, secondary diseaseSubstantially not transmitted, as a complication of other inflammatory processes of the body such as purulent otitis, sinusitis, craniocerebral trauma
Most often the first signs of occurrence of this disease are similar to many other less dangerous infections, but there are a number of symptoms, the manifestation of which should be seek immediate medical attention, especially when it comes to children, as a successful treatment for meningitis depends on the speed of the measures taken, impossible at home conditions.
The sudden rise in temperature
One of the first signs of meningitis is the sudden onset of fever, in which the child (adult) begins to tremble and he always cold. This symptom is manifested in other diseases, so watch and other symptoms should be closely
Ghosting. Another symptom of meningitis is the inability to focus vision, whereby all begin to see double images.
Nausea and vomiting. If the headache is so severe that begins accompanied by nausea and vomiting and other symptoms pushing into the background, so it's a sure sign to call an ambulance immediately.
Unbearable headache
When meningitis pain is not just strong, it really is most often unbearable so that even the fetters the neck of the patient, but on the background of severe pain in the head, this symptom is almost unnoticed. If the child is still very young, he has seen a bulge in fontanel.
Photophobia. Another clear sign of meningitis is intolerance to bright light, because of which begins watery eyes, causing even stronger headache and nausea.
Increased tone neck. Specific posture for patients with meningitis, especially in children, is a pose on his side with his head thrown back with your knees bent. Most often straighten the neck in a natural position of the patient can not.
Inability to tilt the head to the chest. Meningitis can not be just tilt your head to his chest, but even if it can be done, then bend at the knees the legs, which can not straighten until you raise your head.
Skin rash
Any rash on the background of elevated temperature, should alert parents, but a rash that does not fade when pressed, can talk about meningitis. To distinguish this rash from other non-meningitis, it is necessary to conduct a simple test. Take a transparent glass, and press as much as possible to the skin, so she turned pale. If a rash with pale skin, it is likely that other disease. If the rash has retained its brightness, it is necessary to sound the alarm.
If you notice any of these symptoms should immediately call an ambulance, but before her arrival to provide the patient peace, quiet and subdued light. Be healthy!
And be sure to ask about how to recognize the symptoms of measles and how to treat it
