Since childhood, we have heard the phrase: "Put on a hat, and then you will get a meningitis", but very few people attached much importance to this warning. And meanwhile, this infectious disease is really extremely dangerous, especially for children. It is difficult to diagnose. Mostly because the main symptoms of infectious meningitis are similar to other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, you need to know them to protect yourself and your loved ones from this dangerous infection.
Meningococcal meningitis
Symptoms of infectious meningitis caused by meningococcus appear very quickly, even lightning fast. First of all, the temperature rises, often up to 39-40 degrees, the patient is very feverish. Also, a person in the first days on the body appears hemorrhagic rash. These two symptoms are enough to suspect an infection and seek medical help. To confirm the diagnosis for analysis, the cerebrospinal fluid is taken . With an infectious lesion, it will be cloudy, milky white, with a high content of neutrophils, in which microscopic dicococci of a bean-shaped form will be seen under magnification. Acute inflammatory changes are also reflected in the results of a general blood test. In the absence of proper treatment, the mortality from this infection can reach 50%.
Symptoms of infectious meningitis caused by a haemophilic rod
This infection is typical for children under one year. It affects the membranes of both the brain and spinal cord. At such a small age for babies such a disease as infectious meningitis, the incubation period of which can be from several hours to two days, is not just very dangerous, it can affect the further mental development of the child. Therefore, when the first signs of inflammation, namely, high fever, runny nose and hoarseness in the throat, you need to see a doctor. The clinic of this disease often resembles ARI. But in children up to the year an alarming symptom can be frequent regurgitation, vomiting, and also uncaused crying.
Symptoms of infectious meningitis caused by pneumococcus
Pneumococcal meningitis in most cases is preceded by otitis or pneumonia. But often there are cases when the infection develops as primary. The incubation period is short. The first symptoms manifest instantly. Meningeal syndrome is noted later than with the defeat of the meningococcal meninges. The disease is rapidly progressing. Such complex symptoms as frustration of consciousness, paresis and convulsions appear early, even under the condition of early hospitalization. When analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid, it can be seen that it is purulent, it reveals extracellular diplococci of a characteristic lanceolate form. Because of the rapid involvement of the ventricles of the brain in the pathological process, the mortality rate is high. It reaches 25% even with proper treatment. Most often this disease develops in children and elderly people. Perhaps, today one of the most dangerous diseases is meningitis. Infectious diseases with such a clinical picture, of course, are treated, and very successfully, but still it is not possible to reduce their lethality.