The meninge is a thin tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and brain, meningitis is inflammation of this tissue due to contagion of a virus, fungus or bacteria. Although bacterial meningitis is much less common than viral meningitis, it is a very dangerous condition that, if not acted upon quickly, can leave the patient with important consequences or lead, in more serious cases, to death.70% of those affected by this condition are children under 5 years old, so recognizing the symptoms early and acting quickly is key to avoiding serious complications. In this ONsalus article we explain the causes, symptoms and treatment of bacterial meningitis
What are the causes of bacterial meningitis?
bacterial meningitis is the least common of meningitis, however it is the most serious type due to the sequelae it can cause if it is not treated properly. This is caused by the spread of certain bacteria through respiratory secretions such as sneezing or coughing. Once the bacteria enter the body, they can reach the blood and access the meningeal area, causing this dangerous inflammation.
The bacteria that commonly cause bacterial meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, better known as pneumococcus, which can cause infections such as pneumonia or sinusitis, and Neisseria meningitidi known as meningococcusIn addition, this condition can also be caused by the spread of other bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae, E-coli or Listeria, especially affecting people with a weaker immune system, such as children.
Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis
Detecting early the symptoms of bacterial meningitis is essential to receive prompt and timely treatment, which will make the difference between presenting or no possible sequels. The symptoms of both types of meningitis are similar, so specialized care is required to determine which one it is.
The most common signals are:
- Fever.
- Neck stiffness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Strong headache.
- Light sensitivity.
- Confusion and sleepiness.
- Other symptoms include bulging fontanelles in infants, rapid breathing, irritability.
If the person presenting the symptoms has been in contact with a patient who has suffered from meningitis or any disease caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia, it is essential to go to an emergency to the doctor After a physical examination, the lumbar puncture is usually the classic test that allows diagnosing this condition, additionally head tomography, chest X-rays and a blood culture can be performed to confirm the result.
How is this disease treated?
The treatment of bacterial meningitis is antibiotic, the patient must be hospitalized and under close medical surveillance for possibly several weeks. In addition to antibiotics, intravenous hydration and other medications can be applied to control the possible symptoms generated by the progress of the infection, such as seizures or cerebral edema.
Complications and sequelae of bacterial meningitis
bacterial meningitis can cause blockages in the blood vessels of the brain leading to strokes and major injuries in this area. Additionally, inflammation can also affect other organs, which would cause coagulation and breathing problems, among others. Timely antibiotic treatment can make a difference, preventing the progression of the infection.
The sequelae of bacterial meningitis will depend on the speed with which the patient has been treated and in many cases they do not occur, However, when the damage appears, it is irreversible. The patient may suffer from:
- Deafness.
- Red spots on the skin.
- Blindness.
- Epilepsy.
- Paralysis.
- Neurological sequelae.
- Eat.
In cases with a worse prognosis, some patients may die from complications caused by the infection.
Meningitis prevention
Maintaining proper hygiene by washing our hands very well after going to the bathroom, after eating, sneezing or being in contact with foreign fluids can help prevent many infections, including this one. Additionally, there are some vaccines that can significantly reduce the risk of contracting meningitis, these are:
- Meningococcal vaccine.
- Pneumococcal vaccine.
- Vaccine against Haemophilus.
This article is merely informative, at ONsalus.com we do not have the authority to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to go to a doctor in the event of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
