Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. It is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, nasal mucous) or by shaking hands with an infected person.

Types

  • Viral
  • Bacterial

Causes

Viral

  • Enterovirus
  • Coxsackie virus
  • Herpes virus
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus(LCMV)

Bacterial

  • Neisseria meningitides
  • Streptococcus pneumonia
  • Haemophilus influenza serotype b (Hib)disease

Symptoms And Signs of meningitis

  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Fever and chills
  • Vomiting
  • Photophobia
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Recent URTI                
  • Localized weakness
  • loss of sensation (especially in the face)
  • Joint swelling
  • Bruises like rash

Investigations

  • Lumbar puncture (culture of CSF)
  • Blood culture
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan of the head

Treatment

  • Ayurvedic Medicines
  • Keep the person in a darkened, quiet area.
  • If the person is vomiting, lay the person on one side to prevent him or her from inhaling vomit.

Complications

  • Brain damage
  • Subdural effusion
  • Deafness
  • Hydrocephalus

Prevention

  • Haemophilus vaccine –Hib disease 
  • The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
  • Preventive antibiotics
  • Practice general hygiene

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