Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the protective membrane face the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. This inflammation is most ordinarily caused by infections (by viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms).
What are the Symptoms of Meningitis?
Child Immunization Schedule
Someone with meningitis of infective origin (which is by far the most base cause of meningitis), ordinarily presents with a ill and fever. There is often stiffness of the neck muscles (nuchal rigidity) and associated intolerance to challenging light (photophobia) and intolerance to loud sounds (phonophobia).
In more severe cases, there may be confusion, altered level of consciousness and coma.
In meningitis caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, there may be an associated rapidly spreading skin rash. Meningitis caused by other microbes, responsible for Hand, foot and mouth disease and genital herpes, may also be associated with other skin signs.
How is Meningitis Diagnosed?
Your physician will describe your symptoms and guide a physical examination, together with a approved test of your neurological system. To aid in the analysis of meningitis, the following may be done:
Lumbar puncture:
This is the most leading test for the analysis of meningitis. Basically, a small needle is inserted into the lumbar region of the back, under local anaesthesia, and a sample of spinal fluid is withdrawn for laboratory testing. This sample of spinal fluid will help doctors make the analysis of meningitis, recognize the cause of meningitis and, if the cause is found to be of bacterial origin, recognize what antibiotics may be used to treat it.
Other tests such as blood tests, a Ct scan or Mri scan of the brain, may also be performed.
How is Meningitis Treated?
All patients with meningitis will wish supportive therapy to ensure enough hydration, pain relax and monitoring for complications which may arise.
Bacterial meningitis will wish urgent treatment with antibiotics as meningitis is potentially life-threatening with a high mortality rate if left untreated. Delay in treatment is also associated with a poorer outcome. As such, empirical antibiotics must be started immediately, even before the results of the lumbar puncture are known.
Can Meningitis be Prevented?
The best way to forestall meningitis, is to ensure that your child follows your country's National Immunization Schedule and receives all his or her vaccinations. There also also some vaccinations which will help forestall meningitis, which may not be part of the National Immunization Schedule. These may comprise vaccinations against:
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) infection
• Peumococcal infection
• Meningococcal infection
• Chickenpox infection
No comments:
Post a Comment
แสดงความคิดเห็น