Inflammation of the shells of the head and spinal cord. PAHIMENIENGIT - inflammation of a solid cerebral shell, leptheningitis - inflammation of soft and web cerebral shells. Inflammation of soft shells occurs more often, in such cases use the term "meningitis". Its causative agents may be certain pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi; Less often are protozoa meningitis. Meningitis is manifested by a strong headache, hyperesthesia, vomiting, rigidity of the occipital muscles, typical position of the patient in bed, hemorrhagic rash on the skin. To confirm the diagnosis of meningitis and the establishment of its etiology, lumbar puncture is carried out and the subsequent study of the liquor.

General

Inflammation of the shells of the head and spinal cord. PAHIMENIENGIT - inflammation of a solid cerebral shell, leptheningitis - inflammation of soft and web cerebral shells. Inflammation of soft shells occurs more often, in such cases use the term "meningitis". Its causative agents may be certain pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi; Less often are protozoa meningitis.

Etiology and pathogenesis of meningitis

Meningitis can occur in several infection paths. Contact path - the occurrence of meningitis occurs in the conditions of an existing purulent infection. The development of sinusogenic meningitis contributes to a purulent infection of the incomplete sinuses (sinusitis), a benched - the deputyid process or the middle ear (otitis), odontogenic - the pathology of the teeth. infectious agents In cerebral shells are possible lymphogenic, hematogenic, precision, perioreural paths, as well as under conditions of liquor, with an open traumatic brain injury or spinal-spinal injury, a crack or a fracture of the skull base.

The causative agents of the infection, getting into the body through the entrance gate (bronchi, gastrointestinal tract, nasopharynk), cause inflammation (serous or purulent type) of brain shells and adjacent brain tissues. The subsequent edema leads to a violation of microcirculation in the brain vessels and its shells, slowing the resorption of the cerebrospinal fluid and its hypersecretion. At the same time, intracranial pressure increases, the brain is developing. It is possible to further distribute the inflammatory process to the substance of the brain, the roots of cranial and spinal nerves.

Classification of meningitis

Clinical picture of meningitis

The symptom complex of any form of meningitis includes generalfeit symptoms (heat, chills, an increase in body temperature), respiratory temperature and a violation of its rhythm, CHSS change (at the beginning of tachycardia disease, as the disease progressing - bradycardia).

For meningitis, hyperesthesia of the skin and soreness of the skull at percussion is characterized. At the beginning of the disease, an increase in tendon reflexes is noted, but with the development of the disease they decrease and often disappear. In the case of engaging in the inflammatory process of the brain, paralysis develops, pathological reflexes and paresis. The serious flow of meningitis is usually accompanied by the expansion of pupils, diplopia, squint, violation of control over the pelvic authorities (in the event of mental disorders).

Meningitis symptoms at old age atypical: weak manifestation of headaches or their complete absence, head tremor and limbs, drowsiness, mental disorders (apathy or, on the contrary, psychomotor excitation).

Diagnosis and Diffdiaginnosis

The main method of diagnosing (or exceptions) meningitis is a lumbar puncture, followed by the study of the cerebrospinal fluid. In favor this method Says its safety and simplicity, therefore, the holding of lumbar puncture is shown in all cases of suspected meningitis. For all forms of meningitis, the leakage of fluid under high pressure (Sometimes a jet). In case of serous meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid is transparent (sometimes slightly opalescent), with purulent meningitis - turbid, yellow-green. With the help of laboratory studies of the cerebrospinal fluid, the Pleocytosis (neutrophils for purulent meningitis, lymphocytes for serous meningitis) are determined, changing the ratio of the number of cells and increased content squirrel.

In order to determine the etiological factors of the disease, it is recommended that the level of glucose levels in the cerebrospinal fluid is recommended. In the case of tuberculous meningitis, as well as meningitis caused by mushrooms, the level of glucose decreases. For purulent meningitis, a typical (to zero) decreased glucose levels.

The main benchmarks of the neurologist in the differentiation of meningitis are the study of the cerebrospinal fluid, namely the determination of the ratio of cells, the level of sugar and protein.

Treatment of meningitis

In case of suspicion of meningitis, hospitalization of the patient is obligatory. In case of severe flow of the inlet phase (the inhibition of consciousness, fever), prednisolone and benzylpenicillin are injected by the patient. Carrying lumbal puncture on chipboard contraindicated.

The basis for the treatment of purulent meningitis is the early purpose of sulfanimamides (ethasol, norsulfazole) or antibiotics (penicillin). Permits the introduction of benzylpenicillin intrablum (in an extremely severe case). If this treatment of meningitis is ineffective for the first 3 days, it is necessary to continue therapy with semi-synthetic antibiotics (ampicillin + oxacillin, carbenicillin) in combination with monomocinia, gentamicin, nitrofuran. The effectiveness of such a combination of antibiotics is proved before the extraction of the pathogenic organism and detect its sensitivity to antibiotics. The maximum term of such combinations therapy is 2 weeks, after which it is necessary to switch to monotherapy. The criteria for cancellation also serve a decrease in body temperature, normalization of cytose (up to 100 cells), the regression of general-selling and meningeal symptoms.

Foundation comprehensive treatment Tuberculosis meningitis consists in continuous administration of bacteriostatic doses of two or three antibiotics (for example, isoniazide + streptomycin). When possible side Effects (vestibular disorders, hearing impairment, nausea) Cancellation of this treatment is not required, a decrease in the dose of antibiotics and a temporary addition to the treatment of desensitizing drugs (diphenhydramine, promethazine), as well as other anti-tuberculosis drugs (rifampicin, PAS, fetvazide) is shown. Indications for the patient's disciposition: the absence of symptoms of tuberculous meningitis, the sanation of the cerebrospinal fluid (6 months from the beginning of the disease) and the improvement of the overall condition of the patient.

Treatment of viral meningitis can limit itself to the use of symptomatic and generalifying agents (glucose, sodium metamizole, vitamins, methyluracil). In severe cases (pronounced general-selling symptoms), corticosteroids and diuretics are prescribed, less often - re-spinal puncture. In the case of layering of bacterial infection, antibiotics are possible.

Forecast

In the future, the form of meningitis, timeliness and adequacy play an important role. medical events. As residual symptoms after tuberculosis and purulent meningitis, headaches often remain, intracranial hypertension, epileptic seizures, visual impairment and hearing. Due to late diagnosis and sustainability of the causative agent to antibiotics, the mortality rate from purulent meningitis (meningococcal infection) is high.

Prevention

As preventive Mer The prevention of meningitis provides for regular hardening (water procedures, sports), timely therapy of chronic and acute infectious diseases, as well as short courses in immunostimulating drugs (eleutherococcus, ginseng) in the foci of meningococcal meningitis ( kindergarten, school, etc.).

Meningitis is an infectious disease, the flow of which is characterized by extensive inflammation of the dorsal and brain, as its pathogens act different types of viruses and bacteria. Meningitis, the symptoms of which manifest themselves depending on the specific type of pathogens, arises or suddenly, or in a period of several days from the date of infection.

general description

As we have already noted, the brain is subjected to inflammation when meningitis, in particular, its shell. That is, non-cell brain cells are subjected to damage during meningitis, but the outer region of the brain, within which the inflammatory process is focused.

Meningitis in adults and children can flow in primary or in secondary form. Thus, primary meningitis occurs with a one-time lesion of the brain, secondary meningitis is formed against the background of a concomitant underlying disease, in which the proliferation of infection is noted upon subsequent, relevant for meningitis, the defeat of the cerebral shells. As the main diseases in this case, it is possible to allocate, etc.

Almost in all cases, meningitis takes place quickly - as we have already noted, it develops during the period of several days. As an exception from the general versions of the course of the disease, except for tuberculous meningitis, developing gradually, can be isolated.

The incidence of meningitis is noted in the most different age categories, while age is not a decisive criterion in exposure to this disease - here, as expected, the condition of the body as a whole plays a leading role. For example, premature children due to the weakened state of the body are subject to meningitis.

In addition to the group of persons who can have meningitis, you can attribute patients with those or other CNS vices, as well as with back or head injuries. Also, the transfer of the disease is possible during childbirth, through mucous membranes, contaminated food and water, through insect bites and airborne droplets. In any case, factors that can also determine the predisposition to meningitis, a lot.

Types of meningitis

Depending on the etiology, that is, the causes provoking meningitis, this disease may be infectious, infectious-allergic, microbial, neuroviral, traumatic or fungal. Microbial meningitis, in turn, can manifest itself in the form of serous meningitis, tuberculosis meningitis, influenza or herpety meningitis.

Depending on the localization of the inflammatory process during meningitis, there are phaxeningitis, under which it is amazed, as a rule, solid shell Brain, leptomingitis, under which the soft and spider cerebral shell of the brain is exposed to the defeat, as well as panels, in which the inflammatory process is affected by all brain shells. If the inflammatory lesion is preferably localized in the field of the cute shell, the disease is determined as arachnoiditis, which, due to characteristic of it clinical featuresRelated to a separate group.

Basically, meningitis are divided into meningitis purulent and meningitis serous, the features of both species of forms we will look at somewhat lower.

Depending on the origin, as we have already been isolated, meningitis can be primary (here is most of the neuroviral form of meningitis, as well as purulent meningitis) and secondary (syphilitic, tuberculosis, serous).

Depending on the nature of the liquor, meningitis can be hemorrhagic, purulent, serous or mixed. Based on the features of the flow, meningitis can be lightning or sharp, subacute or chronic.

The localization of the inflammatory process during meningitis determines such species of its forms as surface meningitis (or meningitis convexital) and meningitis deep (or meningitis basal).

The paths of infection of the brain shells are determined for meningitis the following possible forms: lymphogenic, contact, hematogenous, perineral meningitis, as well as meningitis arising against the background of cranial injuries.

Any of the types of meningitis is characterized by the occurrence of meningkeal syndrome, which is manifested in an increase in intracranial pressure. As a result of this manifestation, this syndrome is characterized by the appearance of a sawing headache with a simultaneous sensation of pressure on the ears and eyes area, there is also an increased sensitivity regarding the effects of sounds and light (which is determined, in turn, like hyperactus and light-free). Vomiting and temperature appears, rash and epileptic attacks may also appear.

Meningococcal Meningitis

With this form of meningitis, pathological changes affect the basal and convex surface of the brain. The fibrin-purulent either purulent fluid formed in the field of inflammation (exudate) in a dense manner covers the brain (similar to the header), while the infiltrates produced in the region along the vessels turn out to be in the brain substance. As a result, swelling begins to develop, the brainstatus begins to quarrel with blood within the framework of its own vessels (i.e. hyperemia occurs).

Such changes are also noted in the spinal cord area.

The timely start of treatment can be used by the inflammatory process, subsequently the exudate is completely destroyed. If we talk about the launched cases of the flow of this disease, as well as on cases with the appointment of irrational therapy in its relevance, it is not excluded the possibility of the development of a number of specific processes, as a result of which, in turn, the processes of liquorodynamics may be disturbed, against the background of which is already developing.

We now turn directly to the symptoms characterizing this form of meningitis.

It is most often developing in a sudden way, which is accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and the appearance of vomiting (it is repeated and does not bring proper relief of the patient). Due to increasing intracranial pressure, a strong headache. Against the background of the general condition, the patient has a characteristic posture at which there is a stress in the field of occipital muscles while simultaneous curvature of the back and the bent legs were connected.

Many patients during the first days of the disease celebrate the appearance of rashes, which, meanwhile, disappears within one or two hours. In some cases, the rear wall of the pharynx is also susceptible to hyperemia with simultaneous hyperplasia in its follicle areas. Also, a number of patients are facing the appearance, noted literally a few days before the start of meningitis. Meningitis in infants in this form develops mainly gradually, in older children, such a variant of the flow is noted in rare cases.

Based on the severity of the course of the disease, the patient may experience symptoms in the form of muscle cramps, darkening of consciousness or the state of unconsciousness. In the case of an unfavorable flow of meningitis, by the end of the first week, patients noted a comatose state, in which the foreground protrude symptoms in the form of paralysis of the facial nerve and eye muscles. The convulsions that appearing earlier periodically are gradually exploring and precisely during one of the next manifestations of the patient dies.

If the course of meningitis in the form considered is defined as a favorable, then this, in turn, is accompanied by a decrease in temperature, a previously lost appetite appears in the patient. Ultimately, the patient with meningitis gradually moves to the recovery phase.

The total duration of the flow of meningitis in meningococcal form is about two to six weeks. Meanwhile, they are not excluded in practice and cases in which the course of the disease occurs lightning. In such a situation, the death of the patient occurs in a period of literally several hours from the moment of the beginning of the disease.

Upon the protracted flow, after the short period of improvement, the patient again rises the temperature, and it is installed for a long time. This type of tightening form is either a hydrocephalic stage, or a stage at which the development of meningococcal sepsis occurs, the flow of which is accompanied by entering the blood of meningococcus (which is defined as meningochamia).

The main feature of this flow is to appear hemorrhagic rash. In addition, the temperature increases and down arterial pressure, shortness of breath appears, also in patients marked tachycardia.

The most severe manifestation of meningitis in this form is a bacterial shock. In this case, the disease is developing sharp, with a sudden increase in temperature and the appearance of rash. The patient also has a pulse, breathing is characterized by unevenness, convulsions are often noted. Next, the condition becomes comatose. Often the death of the patient with such a flow occurs without returning to consciousness.

Also marked row the following symptoms With characteristic features, they are inherent:

• Skin necrosis. The serious flow of the disease against the background of the impact of meningococcal infection leads to development in inflammation vessels and. As a result, it develops, an extensive type of hemorrhage occurs and, in fact, necrosis, which are especially expressed in those sites in whose area there is a compression. Subsequently, the subcutaneous tissue and necrotic skin is rejected, resulting in ulcers. They are healing, as a rule, quite slowly, the depth and the extensiveness of skin lesion often require its transplant. Keloid scars In this case, there are also frequent results of the disease.
• . The acute stage of the flow of the considered form of meningitis in some cases is accompanied by the lesion of the cranial nerves, of which the greatest vulnerability is determined by the discharge nerve due to the passage of its significant part along the base of the brain. In the event of damage to this nerve, paralysis of the region of lateral straight muscles of the eyes occurs. As a rule, the squint disappears a few weeks later. But due to the distribution of infection to inner ear Often there is a partial deafness or a complete loss of hearing.
• . Frequent manifestation The meningitis of the considered form is, which in the treatment rather quickly disappears. As for uveitis, it is a much more serious complication, the result of which the panofalmite can become and the subsequent blindness. Meanwhile, the antimicrobial therapy applied today minimizes such severe consequences.

Purulent meningitis

Purulent (secondary) meningitis is accompanied by clouding, swelling and hyperemination of brain shells of large hemispheres (convex their surface). Purulent exudate fills the subarachnoid space.

The beginning of the disease is accompanied sharp deterioration The general condition of the patient, in which he is experiencing chills, it also rises the temperature. Heavy flow forms may be accompanied by loss of consciousness, convulsions, delirium. There is also a traditional disease as a whole symptom in the form of multiple vomiting. With purulent meningitis, the defeat is exposed internal organsThe joints are affected.

A sharp severity is noted in the manifestation of such symptoms as the muscle rigidity of the backbone and symptoms of Kerniga, Burutzinsky. The symptom of Kerniga determines the impossibility of extension bent in the knee and hip foot. As for the symptom of the Burudzinsky, its manifestations are reduced to bending legs in the knees when trying to slope head forward in a lying position, to bending legs in knee joints It also gives pressure on the pubis.

Serous Meningitis

Serous meningitis is characterized by the occurrence of inflammatory serous changes in the brain shells. In particular, serous meningitis includes virus forms. Order In 80% of cases, enteroviruses, as well as an epidemic parotitis virus, are determined as a causative agent of serous meningitis. Influenza and adenoviral meningitis, herpetic and paragripping forms of this disease, including a number of other options for its manifestation, are also common.

The source of the virus is predominantly the house mice - the pathogen is in their discharge (feces, urine, nose mucus). Accordingly, human infection occurs as a result of the use of products that have been subjected to similar pollution.

Mostly the disease is celebrated in children from 2 to 7 years.

The clinic of the disease can be characterized by meningeal symptoms in a complex with fever, manifested to a greater or less severity, a combination of symptomatic lesions of a generalized scale in other bodies is often possible.

Viral meningitis can be characterized by two-phase disease flow. Along with the main manifestations, there may be signs indicating the defeat of the peripheral and central nervous system.

Duration incubation period The disease is about 6-13 days. It is often noted a long period, accompanied by manifestations in the form of weakness, breakdown and catarrhal inflammation of the top area respiratory tract Simultaneously with a sudden increase in temperature up to 40 degrees ,. Also, said symptoms can be complemented by pronounced shell syndrome, in which severe headache and vomiting appears.

In some cases, the examination determines the availability stagnation in the field of the eye. Patients complain of pain in the eyes. As for the vomiting marked above, it can be both re-and multiple. As in the previous variants of the development of meningitis, the symptoms of Kernig and the Brudzinsky, the characteristic voltage of the occipital region is noted. The pronounced cases of manifestation of the disease are accompanied by a typical Patient Patient, in which his head is trapped, the belly is drawn, the legs in the knee joints bent.

Tuberculosis Meningitis

This form of meningitis is also primarily noted in children, and especially in infants. Much less often tuberculosis meningitis appears in adults. Order In 80% of cases, the relevance of this disease in patients are revealed or residual phenomena previously suffered by tuberculosis, or the form of active flow of this disease in another area of \u200b\u200bconcentration at the time of the detection of meningitis.

A specific type of microbacteriums common in water and in the soil, as well as among animals and people, act as tuberculosis pathogens. People are mostly evolving as a result of infection by the bullish view of the pathogen or the type of human.

Tuberculosis meningitis is characterized by three main stages of development:

• promotional stage;
• stage of irritation;
• terminal stage (accompanied by paresses and paralymps).

Promotional Stage diseases develop gradually. Initially, manifestations in the form of headaches and nausea, dizziness and fever are noted. Vomiting, as one of the main signs of meningitis, only occasionally appear. In addition to the specified symptoms, the latency of the chair and urine may be marked. As for the temperature, it is mainly subfebrile, its high performance is noted at this stage of the disease extremely rare.

After about 8-14 days from the beginning of the prodromal stage of the disease, the stage is developing. stage of irritation. It is particularly characterized by a sharp increase in symptoms and an increase in temperature (up to 39 degrees). There is a headache in the occipital and frontal regions.

In addition, there is an increase in drowsiness, patients become sluggish, consciousness is subject to inhibition. Popps are characterized by the lack of bloating. Patients do not tolerate lights and noise, and vegetative-vascular disorders are also relevant, manifested in the form of sudden red spots in the chest and face, which also quickly disappear.

By 5-7, the day of the disease at this stage is also noted by meningeal syndrome (symptoms of Kernig and Brudzinsky, tension in the field of occipital muscles).

Pronounced symptoms are noted within the second phase of the stage under consideration, its manifestation depend on the specific localization of the tuberculous inflammatory process.

The inflammation of the meningeal shells is accompanied by typical symptoms of the disease: headaches, muscle rigidity of the population and nausea. The accumulation at the base of the serous exudate brain can lead to irritation of cranial nerves, which, in turn, manifests itself in impairment of vision, seproinations, deafness, unequal expansion of pupils and in paralysis of the century.

The development of hydrocephalus in one degree or another severity leads to blocking certain brain cerebrospinal compounds, and it is the hydrocephalus that is the main reason provoking the symptom in the form of a loss of consciousness. In the event of the blockade of the spinal cord, the motor neurons experience weakness, paralysis may occur in the field of lower extremities.

The third stage of the course of the disease in this form is thermal Stage characterized by the occurrence of paresis, paralysis. Manifestations of symptoms of this period are noted by 15-24 days of the disease.

Clinical picture In this case, symptomatics peculiar to encephalitis: tachycardia, temperature, the breathing of Chein Stokes (that is, periodic breathing, it takes a gradual recess and the increase in rare and surface respiratory movements when the maximum is achieved by the 5-7 breath and subsequent agitation / weakening, passing to pause). The temperature is also rising (up to 40 degrees), appear, as already noted, paralysis and paresa. The spinal shape of the disease at 2-3 stages is accompanied by often extremely pronounced and strong sloping root pains, prlase and sluggish paralysis.

Viral meningitis

The beginning of the disease is acute, the main manifestations in it are general inxication and fever. The first two days are characterized by the severity of manifestations of meningeal syndrome (headache, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, anxiety / excitation).

Complaints of a runny nose can also be celebrated, cough pain and abdominal pain. Inspection is detected by all the same signs characterizing the disease as a whole (Kernig and Brudzinsky syndrome, tension in the occipital region). The normalization of temperature occurs in a period of 3-5 days, in some cases a repeated wave of fever is possible. The duration of the incubation period is about up to 4 days.

Meningitis can get sick each, regardless of age, gender and place of residence. Due to the fact that the fatal outcome after the infection may occur in just a few hours, this disease is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

When diagnosing meningitis in a person who communicates with many people every day (student, student, a great team employee), everyone who could contact him is subject to urgent survey.

Meningitis is extremely contagious and instantly applies to air-drip, when touched, through unwashed dishes, general household items, food and water.

Therefore, in the building where the patient was located, an epidemic is declared, and everything around immediately is subject to disinfection. In this publication, you will learn: What is meningitis, as meningitis manifests itself, the first symptoms of meningitis, and also from which meningitis appears.

What is dangerous meningitis? This disease amazes head and spinal cord, in particular, their soft shells.

It is precisely because meningith hits the brain, the outcome of this disease can radically change life for the worse.

This is especially true of kids, since their brain is under development.

They may forever go blind, lose hearing or lose the ability to learn and have mental retardation in the future. However, it concerns not only children.

Frequent cases are known when an adult after transferred meningitis remained with such complications as deafness or loss of vision.

Sometimes the disease develops too rapidly and without presence characteristic symptoms. In this case, it is difficult to quickly react and make a diagnosis of even an experienced doctor.

In addition, most people are prone to self-medication. When high temperature and headaches are found most often, people believe that they have an ARZ or flu, although it can be the symptoms of meningitis.

Up to the twentieth century, mortality from this disease was greater than 90%. To date, with a timely handling of the doctor and proper treatment Patients with meningitis are recovered in 60% of cases.

When untimely handling (in two or three days after the manifestation of symptoms), this figure drops to 15%. If meningitis is not at all treated or to assist folk remedies, then the lethal exodus occurs in 99% of cases.

The following procedures are usually implemented to diagnose:

• Laboratory blood tests, including biochemical.
• Electroencephalography.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• Lumbal puncture.
• CT scan.

Separately, it is worth noting the importance differential diagnosis. For example, with the first manifestations can be very similar.

First symptoms

Incubation period for meningitis in some cases can be a couple of hours, in others - up to 18 days.

The most always expressed brightly and manifest themselves within a few hours or days.

Each person who felt something like that, should immediately consult a doctor.

Signs of meningitis:

1. Heat. The very first signal of this disease is the rise of temperature, regardless of the origin of the initiator of infection (virus, fungus, bacteria). Usually in the first days the temperature reaches 39-41 degrees.
2. Intensive headache. The patient is brightly expressed by unbearable pain, it seems to him that the head is now bursting, he feels strong pressure in whiskeys, eyes and ears.
3. Neck numbness. This is the most unusual symptom, very characteristic precisely for meningitis. It is important to draw attention to the nature of pain. The neck hurts with head-down head slopes, but does not hurt when turning left-right.
4. Pain with knee bends. Most often, a person cannot break his knees due to muscle overvoltage.
5. Under the neck of the neck, the legs move reflexively. It is also a very characteristic and common symptom when meningitis.
6. If you touch the patient's cheekbone, the touch will cause immediate contraction of the face muscles (involuntarily).
7. The slightest, the easiest climbing of the skull causes the strongest pain.
8. Pressing the ear also causes severe pain.
9. With a heavy form of meningitis, the patients gradually appears the characteristic posture: the head is thrown back, and the legs are tightly pressed by knees to the chest. In this case, the patient cannot move or straighten.
10. With meningitis, there is always vomiting from which it does not become easier.
11. Convulsive syndrome - usually manifests itself a few days after infection.
12. Rash. With meningitis, with this form, like meningochamia, rash is a mandatory symptom. It spreads throughout the body in the form of star red spots, which soon become bluish.
13. The newborn has a strong cry, weakening of the sucking reflex. When infected with the baby meningitis it is impossible to calm down any ways. The child rises the temperature, it shakes from chills. When changing the diaper, the child cannot straighten his knees.
14. Pain from bright light and noise. With meningitis, these two stimuli cause gains of headaches.

Also separately the specific meningitis syndromes are isolated:

Immediately after infection, headaches may occur, vomiting, neck numbness and high temperature.

Before the emergence of other characteristic features, several days can pass.

In what cases can be infected with meningitis

Most often, infection comes from a sick person when contacting him.

Also, infection can be transmitted through:

• Unwashed hands.
• Infected water and food.
• Dirty dishes.
• Wounds at contact with sick.

Contributes to the development of meningitis and weak immunity. In winter, with frequent supercooling of the body and the lack of vitamins, people are more vulnerable to various infections, including meningitis.

People with HIV or after chemical irradiation, transplants bone marrowAfter heavy influenza or other dangerous diseases, there are very weakened immunity and must comply with all the rules of hygiene, so as not to get into the risk zone.

Classification of meningitis

This disease can be primary or secondary (as complication after angina, otitis, influenza and other viral or bacterial diseases, especially if they are not treated).

The causes of the disease with meningitis can be viruses, fungi, simplest organisms and bacteria.

By the nature of the causative agent, meningitis is divided into:

1. Viral. It can be provoked by ehovirus or enterovirus. The greatest predisposition to them is celebrated in young children (newborns) and in men. Infection with such viruses of a newborn can quickly lead to death.
2. Fungal. Candida and Cocidoids are the main representatives of fungal, which can be causative agents of meningitis. This type of this disease is spread the least. This is due to the fact that the fungi of this class is the normal component of microflora in the living organism (in very small quantities).
3. Bacterial. Meningococci, streptococci, diplococci, pneumococci and staphylococci are the main pathogens of meningitis in adults and children.
4. Meningitis, which is called the simplest. Fit and reproduction of amosa in adult human organism may cause various diseases, Including meningitis.

In the diagnosis of this disease, doctors first of all pay attention to:

• Reason.
• The speed with which the disease develops.
• The form in which meningitis develops.

Types of meningitis in the speed of distribution

In terms of propagation, the following types of meningitis are distinguished:

• Fulminant. This species is characterized by the instant propagation of bacteria in the body. After infection, the patient dies in a few hours, since usually diagnosis and therapy require more time. Although cases of recovery are not excluded, if you immediately have medical care.
• Acute meningitis. The chances of recovery in a person sick with acute meningitis are significantly higher than with the disease by the previous type of disease. In this case, there should be about 2-3 days of the hidden period, after which the characteristic symptoms begin to manifest. The main thing is to call a doctor in time.
• Chronic meningitis. Proceeds slowly. It is easily treated and causes the least harm compared to the rest of the form.

Meningitis by the nature of inflammation

As you can see, there are a number of different types Diseases with a variety of symptoms.

By the nature of the inflammatory process:

• Serous. The causative agents are viruses: enterovirus, flu virus, herpess. The disease passes without purulent inflammatory processes. Proceeds relatively easy.
• Purulent meningitis. This infectious disease occurs as a result of infection with bacteria: meningococci, staphylococci, pneumococci or streptococci. Severe condition The diseased is explained by purulent processes in the outer shells of the brain. Most often, after transferring this type of disease, the patient faces heavy complications. After infection, the person begins the rise of temperature and worsen general state: Headache is growing rapidly and increases, pain in joints, pain in other organs. When meningochamia, a significant symptom is a rash that spreads through the body almost instantly and has a brown or bluish color. The rash of large sizes, the size of one spot reaches up to 5-10 cm in diameter. A person takes a characteristic posture when the head is trapped, and the legs are bent in the knees. At the same time, it cannot straighten up. Vomiting is also observed, which is no longer possible to stop.

Stages of treatment of meningitis

The process of therapy depends on the type of manengitis causative agent. If such are bacteria that provoke acute purulent meningitis, then the patient shows the hospitalization of at least two weeks.

In the bacterial form of the disease therapy, drugs are carried out by antibiotics of the following groups:

• Penicillins.
• Cephalosporins.
• Ampicillins.
• Carbapenes.

During therapy with antibiotics, the patient must be observed by a doctor, and also strictly observe the bed regime.

Therapy of bacterial meningitis requires constant observation of the doctor, as well as the individual selection of antibiotics and optimal doses. There is no universal treatment regimen, it all depends on the patient: age, the presence of bad habits, concomitant diseases, etc.

For example, people with alcoholism most often have liver problems.

If such a person is ill bacterial meningitis, then there is practically no chance for recovery, because problems with the liver do not allow the patient with antibiotics and strong antibacterial drugs, and a few days later he dies.

The treatment of viral meningitis is more based on the elimination of the cause, but on the facilitation of symptoms. The patient is subject to hospitalization for 1-2 weeks.

At the same time, it gives medicines that facilitate pain, reduce the temperature, eliminate the organism from toxins (enterosorbents).

In addition, for the purpose of disintellation, intravenous drip administration of glucose and vitamins solutions, especially vitamin C.

Therapy of fungal types of this disease is carried out by applying fungicidal preparations. With any form of meningitis, the patient necessarily shows abundant drinking, especially rich in vitamin C.

In general, therapy can last from 3 to 5 weeks with further treatment of complications. Due to the lack of an ideal treatment regimen, which would fit everyone, hospitalization is necessary in any form of this ailment.

After treatment, mandatory prevention is needed, since meningitis can be easily ill, especially if immunity is weakened.

Prevention

Is it possible to get meningitis, being adults? The answer is obvious - of course, yes. Meningitis can get sick each, regardless of age or racial affiliation.

The most efficient protection is grafting from meningitis. They are shown both adults and children from 2 months. For children, this is especially important because they are in the risk group.

Vaccinations B. early age Give the maximum effect to protect against meningitis during this period. Remember that the fatal outcome in children comes much more often than in adults, and they should be vaccinated.

As other methods of prevention, it is worth following such rules:

• Always wash your hands. This rule is mandatory not only before eating, but after, and even before going to the toilet, and throughout the day.
• Do not use someone else's dishes. It is worth remembering that its own cup, plate and spoon is a banal rule of personal hygiene, which avoids random infection. If there is no such possibility, it is best to wash the dishes and after eating, and before meals.
• Avoid mosquito bites and other dangerous insects, incl. and cockroaches. Remember that insects most often spread dangerous infections.
• To refuse from bad habits. Smoking and alcohol significantly reduce the sustainability of immunity, and also contribute to the development of diseases that may interfere with high-quality treatment bacterial infections and viral diseases.
• Check the temperature, pay attention to headache and other malaise. Self-treatment can lead to fatal consequences, including a sustainable fatal outcome. Even with the slightest signs of meningitis, urgently contact medical care.
• More often avoid crowded places, especially in winter. Crowded transport, a stamped stadium or a concert hall, a student dining room and the likelihoods can become the centers of the epidemic, especially during the cold season.
• After contact with the sick meningitis, carefully wash your hands with soap. In addition, if a long-term contact with the patient is required to assist, you must take care of your health. To not get infected, wear a medical mask.
• Try to eat well and play sports. This, of course, will not provide 100% protection against bacterial infections, but will significantly increase immunity. If a person has a strong immunity, then the risk of "pick up" the infection is reduced.
• Strengthen immunity. To do this, you can take special drugs, hardening or more often ride the sea and in the mountains. Regular use of vegetables and fruits also helps to strengthen the body.
• Do not run infectious diseases. Otitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases require careful and long-term treatment, which cannot be terminated even if the symptoms disappeared.

Conclusion

Although meningitis is very dangerous disease, there is still a cure chance. Recognize the first symptoms is easy to even a person without medical education, it is worth only to remember several of them.

Whether the patient will recovery, it depends only on whether it can quickly seek help.

According to statistics, in the case of infection with bacteria, 60% of patients are completely recovered, and when infected with viruses - up to 90% with timely therapy.

The best thing you can do for the patient is to cause a doctor as soon as possible, and at this time to ensure complete peace: no light and irritating sounds.

Human brain - One of the most protected organs. If the heart "protects" only the chest and ribs, which are easy enough to break, then the main center of regulation of all processes protect the righteous bones: the cranicious and vertebral pole. Nature has no coincidence created the body in this way: any brain disease is extremely serious and are life-threatening, the safety of motor and intelligent functions. Meningitis symptoms are important to know anyone, since this disease often has a fatal outcome.

What is meningitis

Among infectious diseases, meningitis occupies a special place. On the one hand, the disease can not be called common, most people have never come across it, can hardly be called familiar or relatives who would have to be treated from her. On the other hand, the disease is still considered one of the most life-threatening, mortality without properly selected therapy is up to 80%.

Prior to the invention of immunization methods, meningitis was almost mortal verdict: children died from it in 98% of cases, and adults are 90%. Unfortunately, even modern medicines are not a panacea: with a timely manner and fully correct treatment, mortality comes to 10% and another 30% remain disabled for the rest of their lives.

The disease provoke specific pathogens, including:

• meningococci;
• pale Treplema - the causative agent of syphilis;
• spirochetes from the genus Borella;
• bacillus genus Brucella;
• toxoplasm.

Among the listed microorganisms are most dangerous meningococci, since this infection has pronounced contagiousness - the ability to transfer to healthy persons. The epidemics of meningitis are described, which were usually provoked precisely this bacterium.

In other cases, the disease develops due to violations in the normal functioning of the body. Brain shells are completely sterile, but if bacteria fall inside for some reason, this leads to the development of the disease. Cases are common when meningitis became complicated by less severe infections - tonsillitis, angina, pharyngitis, otitis, rhinitis due to the proximity of the ear-throat-nose bodies to the brain.

There are viral forms of the disease. Most viruses causing encephalitis and meningitis are rarely found in our country, since Africa and South America are distributed in the hot climate. We from such viruses are known for ticking encephalitis, which is often accompanied by meningitis, as well as enterovirus.

Of all the forms of meningitis, the most dangerous - amoebic, called Negrolera Fowler. This type of disease is practically not amenable to treatment, and in 99% of cases ends with the death of the patient. Specific drugs do not exist. The amoebic meningitis is found very rarely, the habitat area of \u200b\u200bFowler is North and South Africa.

Causes of meningitis

Infectious disease is provoked by various pathogens. Meningitis symptoms will also depend on a specific bacterium, a virus or microorganism. Depending on the method of contacting microorganisms, fungi or other malicious agents in brain shells, the primary and secondary form of the disease distinguish. The first means that the disease has evolved independently, the second - which appeared as a complication of another infection. Allocate the following types depending on the reasons:

1. Serous or viral- provoked by the virus. Enterovirus meningitis is most common. As follows from the name, the pathogen falls first in gastrointestinal. It is distinguished by severe infectiousness, in the risk group, children, the elderly, faces with a weakened immunity. Contacts is enhanced in places of cluster of people, so the outbreaks are common in children's camps, schools. In the spring and summer, the virus is more active.
2. Bacterial meningitis - under this concept implies, as a rule, the most common form of a disease provoked by the specific pathogen-meningococcus. Also, this type of pathological process is known as purulent. Infectivity is high, there may be epidemiological outbreaks. Transmitted from person to person when contacting, using common items.
3. Infectious meningitis - caused by nonspecific agent bacteria. Most often develops in the form of a secondary type with a late or incorrect treatment of bacterial respiratory infections. Often becomes a dangerous complication of pneumonia. Regardless.
4. Tuberculosis meningitis could be considered a private event of a secondary form of the disease, but it differs in its peculiarities. In some cases, it is manifested as a primary type of disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is characterized by high ability to damage all tissues and organs. In the risk group - oncobolen, HIV-infected, persons suffering from chronic avitaminosis.
5. Propular meningitis or toxoplasmosis. It is caused by the simplest kind of toxoplasm. This type is characterized in that in light cases does not lead to death and even noticeable symptoms, but it can significantly change the behavior and personality of a person. Some experts consider toxoplasm the cause of schizophrenia. Transmitted with feline urine.

A general reason for each type of disease becomes contact with pathogenic bacteria, viruses or protozoa. Another important factor is a lack of protective forces of the body, therefore children are more often ill, the immune system of which does not effectively protect against the penetration of dangerous agents into the brain shells. The symptoms in adults may be less pronounced, the flow is easier.

The primary type is difficult to miss, because the disease manifests brightly, with a set of characteristic symptoms of meningitis. Some doctors consider the secondary form in terms of forecasting, the mechanism of the disease is:

• development of the underlying disease;
• the patient inattentively refers to the appointments;
• primary infection seems cured;
• part of bacteria survives, forms protection against drugs, penetrates brain shells.

The symptoms of meningitis in this case appear against the background of weakened immunity, and resistance to antibiotics is often added. That is why it is so important to adhere to the course of treatment and carefully refer to the appointments of a specialist, even if we are talking about a banal rhine.

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms and signs of meningitis may vary depending on the age of the patient, the form of the disease, the degree of severity of the pathological process. It is believed that the symptoms in adults appear weaker, and in children, especially kids up to a year, the fulminant (lightning room) picture of the disease is developing more often, which almost always ends with a fatal outcome.

Enterovirus style begins with intestinal signs, usually take it on early stages For food poisoning.

However, the disease is developing quickly, characterized by the following signs:

• sharp rise temperature up to 40 degrees and above;
• vomiting that does not bring relief;
• intense headache;
• hyperstability - increased tactile sensitivity;
• malgy.

A characteristic feature of this type of illness is the peculiar position of the body in bed, known as the "Pose of Legal Dog". This sign of meningitis is associated with the fact that the peripheral nervous system is affected.

Bacterial meningitis

The symptoms of meningitis with the defeat of specific coccob differ, although not too much. For the disease, characteristic:

• high temperature is also up to 40 degrees;
• clouding consciousness, up to the sopor;
• convulsions;
• vomiting;
• unbearable headache;
• photophobia.

The characteristic symptom also becomes skin rash. They indicate a specific type and pathogen.

Secondary infectious

Symptoms in adults appear more often than children are usually associated with not enough effective treatment. Signs of the meningitis of the secondary flow:

• acute headache;
• heat;
• convulsions;
• rigidity of the occipital muscles.

The rashes are not observed. The form will differ in that the development of slow, the long period is up to 2 weeks.

Toxoplasmosis or protozoa form, unlike the rest, can remain unnoticed. Meningitis symptoms are practically absent with the exception of episodic headaches, for which the patient does not pay attention, but the character of a person changes, it becomes neurotic, frivolous, violates the attention and ability to concentrate.

Watch the video, which is important first of all to know about meningitis:

Prevention

Some forms of the disease can be prevented. The most efficiently vaccination from meningitis helps children, although vaccination is permitted only from 3 months. Vaccination is required in the regions with a disadvantaged epidemiological situation. Also, the vaccination from meningitis can be included in the measles and rubella complex, in this case it prevents a serous appearance. Among the prevention measures will always be personal hygiene, avoiding contact with patients and places of large cluster people.

Treatment in children

Children are very hard to endure the disease. If the symptoms in adults often take a weakly spent current, then the kids almost always develop sharp or subacute types. Treatment includes:

1. Antiviral drugs in case of serous form. It should be understood that there are no specific drugs, only the injections of interferon are prescribed, which help the body, but do not destroy the viral agents by themselves.
2. Antibiotics are always prescribed, the drugs of the group of cephalosporins effectively operate. Infusion infusion, intravenously. Isoniazide - with tuberculosis form.
3. Diuretics - in order to eliminate excess fluid, which can cause brain swelling. At the same time recommended abundant drink to avoid dehydration.
4. Detoxication therapy is a glucose solution, salt solutions that restore blood plasma.
5. Steroid preparations.
6. Pressorine amines to prevent the development of shock.

Therapy should be carried out only in hospital conditions under the supervision of doctors. Without access to experts, mortality in children can reach 95%.

Treatment in adults

Therapy in adults does not differ in their scheme from a nursery with amendment on the patient's body and the severity of the course of the disease. Also forbidden self-treatment or attempt to transfer "on the legs". The scheme, as a rule, includes:

1. Antibiotics of several groups. Adults besides Cephalosporins appointed ampicillin. This is a fairly toxic medicine that often causes skin rashes even without pronounced. allergic reaction, Therefore, it is rarely injected with children.
2. Cephalosporins always become the basis of therapy in meningitis. The dose increases depending on the body weight and severity of the disease. The most effective preparations of the third and fourth generation.
3. Carbapenes are another antibiotic of a wide bactericidal spectrum of action. It is introduced not only to combat the main causative agent, but also to prevent possible side infections.
4. Glucocorticosteroids - therapy of steroids is almost always carried out in order to facilitate the state of the patient, reducing edema, soreness in lesion foci.
5. Diuretic and detoxification therapy - constant. The meaning of these measures is to remove the infected liquid, lymph and pus, replacing it with a new blood plasma. Adults and children in severe cases are prescribed blood plasma transfusion.

Meningitis - one of the most severe acute infectious diseases. In 70% of cases it flows acutely, the patient is emergency to hospitalize, where everything is carried out necessary measures. Knowledge of symptoms will help to recognize and assess the severity of the state. It must be remembered that folk methods Treatment does not exist. It should also be forgotten that meningitis is a contagious disease, so a frivolous attitude towards its state is dangerous not only for the patient, but also for others.

Velvikova Nina Vladislavovna

Gastroenterologist, infectiousness, pulmonologist

Experience: 36 years

1975-1982.1mmi, San Gig, Higher Qualification, Infectious Physics

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article, we will consider with you such a disease of the brain shells, as - meningitis, as well as its first signs, symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of traditional and folk remedies. So…

What is meningitis?

Meningitis - infectious inflammatory disease of the shells of the spinal and / or brain.

The main symptoms of meningitis are headache, high body temperature, consciousness disorders, increased light and sound sensitivity, numbness of the neck.

The main reasons for the development of meningitis are, and fungi. Often, this disease becomes a complication of others, and often ends with a fatal outcome, especially if its cause is bacteria and fungi.

The basis of the treatment of meningitis is antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal therapy, depending on the causative agent of the disease, and only in the hospital.

Meningitis in children and men meets most often, especially the number of illness increases in the autumn-winter-spring period, from November to April. This is facilitated by such factors as fluctuations in temperatures, the abundance of the body, a limited number of fresh fruits and vegetables, insufficient ventilation indoors with a large number of people.

Scientists also noticed 10-15 summer cyclicity of this disease, when the number of patients is especially increasing. Moreover, in countries with bad sanitary conditions of residence (Africa, Southeast Asia, Central and South America), the number of patients with meningitis is usually 40 times higher than among residents of Europe.

How is meningitis transmitted?

Like many others infectious diseasesMeningitis can indulge in a fairly large number of paths, but most frequent of them are:

• air-drip path (through,);
• contact-household (non-compliance), through kisses;
• oral-fecal (consuming unwashed products, as well as eating with unwashed hands);
• hematogenic (through blood);
• lymphogenic (through lymph);
• placental means (infection occurs during childbirth);
• after entering the body of polluted water (when bathing in contaminated water bodies or consumption of dirty water).

Incubation period Meningitis

Basically, receiving a combination from a combination to relieve viral meningitis. next drugs: "Interferon" + "glucocorticosteroids".

Additionally, barbiturates, nootropic drugs, a protein diet with a large quantity content, especially various, can be assigned. antiviral drugs (Depends on the type of virus).

3.3. Antifungal therapy

Treatment of fungal meningitis usually includes the reception of the following drugs:

With cryptococcus and candidial meningitis (CRYPTOCCUS NEOFORMANS and CANDIDA SPP): "amphotericin in" + "5-flucitosin".

• The dose of amphotericin B is 0.3 mg per 1 kg per day.
• Dose "Flucitozin" is 150 mg per 1 kg per day.

Additionally, "Fluconazole" can be assigned.

3.4. Detoxional therapy

To remove from the body of products of life infection (toxins), which poison the body and additionally weaken immune system And the normal operation of other organs and systems is used by deoxide therapy.

To remove toxins from the body, apply: "Attoxyl", "Enterosgel".

For the same purposes, abundant drinking is appointed, especially with vitamin C - decoction of rosehip, tea with raspberry and, morse.

To improve the quality and functionality of the cerebrospinal fluid: "Citooflavin".

Forecast

Timely appeal to the doctor, accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment regimen increases the chances of complete cure from meningitis. The patient depends on how quickly it will turn into a medical unit and will adhere to the treatment regimen.

However, even if the situation is extremely severe, pray, the Lord is strong to delight and heal a person even in cases where other people can help him.

Important! Preparation folk remedies Be sure to consult your attending physician!

During the use of folk treatments, ensure a patient calm, muted light, protect the loud sounds.

Poppy. Peretrate the maximum carefully poppy, pour it into a thermos and fill with hot milk, in the proportion of 1 t. Poppy spoon per 100 ml of milk (for children) or 1 tbsp. Poppy spoon per 200 ml of milk. Cancel the tool to insist on the night. Take an infusion from Poppy need 1 tbsp. A spoon (children) or 70 g (adults) 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals.

Chamomile and mint. Use tea from or, for example, in the morning one tool, in the morning. For the preparation of this therapeutic drink need 1 tbsp. A spoonful of mint or chamomile pour a glass of boiling water, cover the lid and give the medium to strengthen, after which itching and drinking a portion over 1 time.

Lavender. 2 h. Spoons of the lavender drug in a dry overcoat pour 400 ml of boiling water. Leave the tool at night for insteading and drink 1 cup, in the morning and in the evening. This remedy has painkillers, soothing, anticonvulsant and diuretic properties.

Herbal collection. Mix 20 g. The following ingredients - lavender flowers, peppermint leaves, rosemary leaves, primrose root and. Further, 20 g of the resulting mixture of plants, pour 1 glass of boiling water, cover the lid and give the tool. After cooling the collection, strain it and you can start drinking, at one time the whole glass, twice a day, in the morning and evening.

Needles. If the patient does not have an acute phase of meningitis, from needles, fir can be cooked a bath, also useful to drink infusion from coniferous needles, which contribute to blood purification.

Linden. 2 tbsp. Spoons of lime color Fill 1 liter of boiling water, cover the means with a lid, let it brew about 30 minutes and can drink instead of tea.

- during periods of seasonal outbreaks, avoid staying in places with lots of people, especially in closed rooms;

- Make a wet cleaning at least 2-3x once a week;

- stop (if there are no contraindications);

- Avoid stress, hypothermia;

- Move more, do sports;

- Do not let various diseases, especially infectious nature, so that they do not move into a chronic form;