Meningitis is an infection of the meninges and can occur at any age, especially in young children. However, you should not be subjective with meningitis in adults, because if not detected and treated promptly, it can cause many dangerous complications such as paralysis of limbs, epilepsy, deafness, etc. blindness, cerebral edema, coma, and even death. Let’s explore the signs of meningitis in this article!
Contents
What is meningitis?
The meninges are protective covering around the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis is an infection of the tissue layers around the brain and spinal cord and is usually caused by HI bacteria, pneumococcus, meningococcus, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
If not detected and treated promptly, Meningitis in adults can cause many dangerous complications. If you see one of the following symptoms, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital or specialized medical facility for testing and prompt treatment:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Fear of light
- Nausea, vomiting
Some signs of brain dysfunction such as lethargy, confusion, and acute coma for a few hours to a few days or can last for weeks. Almost all symptoms appear unclear, seen in the elderly group, especially when there are comorbidities (diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease), patients with neutropenia, patients with impaired other immune systems such as organ transplant recipients, and HIV/AIDS patients.
What causes meningitis in adults?
Bacterial meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is one of the most dangerous forms of meningitis. In the United States, an average of 3,000-5,000 people get sick each year.
About 20-25% of patients with bacterial meningitis die, despite prompt treatment. If bacterial meningitis progresses rapidly within 24 hours, the mortality rate can be as high as 50%.
Viral meningitis
Viral meningitis in adults is difficult to detect because the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu.
Meningitis due to HI
The third cause of meningitis in adults is the bacterium Hemophilus influenzae type B (HI). This bacteria is commonly found in the nose and throat and is transmitted from person to person through sneezing, coughing, and salivary glands.
Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal disease usually occurs all year round, but the time when it is diagnosed with the highest incidence is Spring – Summer.
Meningococcal meningitis is usually spread through the respiratory tract and through contact with infected hands and personal items of patients. And especially the mortality rate is quite high if not detected early and treated promptly. More serious can leave neurological sequelae.
Pneumococcal meningitis
Caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. People at high risk of pneumococcal meningitis are alcoholics, sinusitis, diabetes, sinusitis, otitis media, and traumatic brain injury.
The manifestation that we can see most clearly is a high fever from 39-40 degrees continuously accompanied by headache, and muscle and joint pain. In the case of sepsis, high fever fluctuates, cardiovascular collapse, and blood loss. pressure, little urine, shock.
Ways to prevent meningitis
Being aware of a scientific lifestyle will help you prevent or reduce the progression of meningitis in adults, such as:
Wash hands properly with soap before eating and after using the toilet
Eat cooked, drink boiled, and limit soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk
If you notice any abnormality in your body, you should immediately go to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment
Get vaccinated against meningitis at an early age
Exercise regularly
Do not drink alcohol or smoke
Should not come into contact with people with meningitis, need to be isolated, and must be supervised by a doctor 24/24.
Final thought
Currently, methods used by doctors to diagnose meningitis in adults include:
Cerebrospinal fluid puncture: A procedure performed in the clinic to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for testing to determine the severity of inflammation, the causative agent, and the susceptibility of microorganisms to medicinal products.
Blood test: This is needed to assess the extent of the infection. In some cases, a blood culture may be necessary to identify the causative agent.
Physical examination – imaging (CT, MRI): This is one of the modern diagnostic methods used to diagnose complications of meningitis affecting the brain.
If the patient has meningitis, the patient needs to be hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, and high doses intravenously according to the regimen (for bacterial meningitis).
Depending on the type of meningitis, there are different treatment directions. It is best to consult a doctor, if you find that your body is abnormal, you should immediately go to the hospital for testing.
Top News hopes this article can help you learn more about the signs of meningitis and wishes your health is always good!
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