- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- What causes meningococcal meningitis
- How to protect yourself
- Possible sequelae of meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a rare type of bacterial meningitis, caused by the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis , which causes severe inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain, generating symptoms such as very high fever, severe headache and nausea, for example.
Generally, meningococcal meningitis appears in the spring and winter, especially affecting children and the elderly, although it can also happen in adults, especially when there are other diseases that cause a weakened immune system.
Meningococcal meningitis is curable, but treatment should be started as soon as possible to avoid serious neurological sequelae that can be life-threatening. So, whenever meningitis is suspected, you should go to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
See which tests can be used to confirm meningitis.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include:
- High fever above 38ยบ; Severe headache; Nausea and vomiting; Stiff neck, with difficulty to bend the neck; Drowsiness and excessive tiredness; Joint pain; Intolerance to light and noise; Purple spots on the skin.
On the other hand, meningococcal meningitis can also cause other symptoms such as tense softness, agitation, intense crying, body stiffness and convulsions. Since it is more difficult for the baby to understand the problem that is causing intense crying, it is always best to consult a pediatrician, especially if there are any changes accompanied by fever or changes in the soft spot.
How to confirm the diagnosis
Since meningococcal meningitis is considered an emergency situation, you should go to the emergency room as soon as you suspect a possible infection in the meninges. In such cases, the doctor may suspect the disease through the symptoms, but it is necessary to perform a lumbar puncture to identify whether there is any bacteria in the spinal cord and confirm the diagnosis.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for meningococcal meningitis should be done as soon as possible in the hospital with an injection of antibiotics into the vein, such as Ceftriaxone, for about 7 days.
During treatment, family members should wear protective masks whenever they visit the patient, since the transmission of meningococcal meningitis occurs through respiratory secretions, however, it is not necessary to remain in isolation.
What causes meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain, caused by the presence of the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis . Generally, this bacterium first infects other parts of the body, such as the skin, the intestine or the lungs, and then reaches the brain, where it develops and causes great inflammation of the meninges.
In more rare cases, this bacteria can enter the brain directly, especially if there has been a serious trauma to the head, such as in a traffic accident or during brain surgery, for example.
How to protect yourself
The prevention of meningococcal meningitis can be done with the use of vaccines for meningitis included in the child's vaccination schedule, as well as other precautions such as:
- Avoid places with many people, especially; Keep the rooms of the house well ventilated; Avoid closed places; Have good body hygiene.
In addition, people who have been in close contact with another infected person should see a general practitioner to assess the possibility that they may also have been affected by the bacterium, initiating the use of antibiotics, if necessary.
Check out a more complete list of care to avoid getting meningitis.
Possible sequelae of meningococcal meningitis
Since meningitis affects the brain membranes, there is a very high risk of complications such as:
- Loss of vision or hearing; Serious brain problems; Difficulty in learning; Paralysis of the muscles; Heart problems.
The sequelae of meningococcal meningitis usually appear when treatment is not done properly or when it is started too late. Better understand the possible consequences of meningitis.
