Meningitis, meningitis or meningitis of the brain is a disease of the meninges, which can be attacked and permanently damaged by inflammation. Most often, the cause of meningitis or meningitis is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis or meningitis is an inflammation of the spinal and cerebral meninges. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms (parasites). Click to enlarge. Meningitis, meningitis or meningitis is a very serious and complex disease. In this case, inflammation of the meninges occurs. Meningitis must be treated quickly and a doctor or hospital should be consulted immediately upon discovery. If meningitis is present, it is important to act quickly, because the course of treatment depends significantly on the development of the disease. In its classical form, meningitis is a bacterial infection that usually occurs in young children or adolescents. In most cases, three types of bacteria are decisive for the outbreak of the disease.
Causes
Three types of bacteria in particular can lead to meningitis or meningitis. These are meningococci (Neisseria meningitidis), pneumococci (Streptococcus pneumoniae), and Haemophilus influenzae. Most meningitis is caused by the bacterial species listed above, which are usually transmitted from person to person by droplet infection, such as sneezing or coughing. Often a rather uncomplicated and harmless inflammation of the upper respiratory tract occurs first, which then leads to meningitis. However, vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is possible in Germany, so meningococci are now mainly a cause of meningitis. It is estimated that meningococci are responsible for half of the recorded cases of meningitis today. In newborns, however, other pathogens usually cause meningitis.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
In the different forms of meningitis, the symptoms and complaints vary in their development and severity. Bacterial meningitis almost always results in severe headache. In addition, typical for bacterial meningitis is the occurrence of at least one of the following symptoms: Neck stiffness, loss of consciousness, high fever. In particular, neck stiffness (meningismus) is a clear indication of meningitis. If meningismus occurs, the affected person cannot move their head or can only move their sternum with considerable pain. Meningitis also often results in sensitivity to sound, pain in the limbs and photophobia. Also relatively common are vomiting, dizziness, impaired hearing and speech, and nausea. Meningitis caused by meningococci leads to sepsis in about 30 percent of cases. This blood poisoning can be recognized by red and brown skin spots. The symptoms of viral meningitis are characteristically less pronounced than those of bacterial meningitis. In infants and children suffering from meningitis, there are often only the nonspecific signs of fever or nausea that also occur in other diseases. Neck stiffness as a symptom is atypical at this age. In the rare special cases of tuberculous meningitis and neuroborreliosis, there is often only fever as a symptom for a long time as well.
Course
In meningitis, positive courses can usually be brought about. In some cases, however, complications, on the other hand, cannot be ruled out. Sometimes, the affected person may develop meningoencephalitis. This means that the inflammation is transferred from the meninges to the brain. In addition, because the brain is connected to the spinal cord via the central nervous system, meningoencephalomyelitis, an inflammation of the meninges, brain and spinal cord, can also occur. Neurological damage, such as loss of hearing, or even paralysis cannot be ruled out. In addition, psychological damage (disabilities or behavioral problems) are also not uncommon. An accumulation of pus in a cavity that has developed can also be listed as an example of a negative outcome.Furthermore, a disturbance of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation cannot be excluded. Vascular occlusion of the veins by blood clots is not uncommon.
Complications
Especially in the early course of meningitis, there is a risk of complications. In such cases, special treatment is required. Nevertheless, the prognosis of the disease may be unfavorable. In bacterial meningitis, on average one to two out of ten patients suffer from complications. One of the most serious consequences of meningitis is blood poisoning (sepsis). It occurs when the meningitis pathogens multiply in the blood. The toxic waste products of the germs cause poisoning of the blood. Blood poisoning poses a greater risk to life than meningitis itself. The bacteria penetrate other organs and tissues via the bloodstream and damage them. In the worst case, the affected person suffers septic shock as a result. This in turn results in acute circulatory failure. Because the organs and tissues are less well supplied with blood, they are damaged. Furthermore, due to the reduced blood flow in the limbs, there is a risk of a blood clot. In the further course of the disease, there is a risk of life-threatening organ failure. For this reason, the complications of meningitis must always be treated immediately in the intensive care unit. Another dangerous sequela is meningoencephalomyelitis, which affects the meninges and brain and spreads to the spinal cord. As a result, the patient may suffer permanent neurological damage. These include loss of hearing, paralysis, and mental retardation. Other conceivable complications of meningitis include meningoencephalitis, vascular occlusion of the veins, and brain abscess.
When should you see a doctor?
A doctor should be consulted in the event of decreased performance, listlessness and lack of strength, fatigue, and general weakness, especially if these complaints persist for several days without reason or increase in intensity. If fever, dizziness, vomiting or nausea occur, a doctor is needed. Persistent fatigue, inner restlessness as well as low resilience should be examined and treated. If sleep disturbances occur, or if there are problems with concentration or attention, a visit to the doctor is required. In case of disturbances of consciousness, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible or an ambulance service must be called. Changes in the appearance of the skin, a pale complexion, a drop in blood pressure or cold feet and hands are indications that should be followed up. If there are disturbances of the equilibrium, further functional and digestive disturbances or cramps occur, a visit to the doctor should be made. In case of pain in the bones or joints, general malaise and a feeling of illness, a species should be consulted. If there is a headache, a feeling of pressure inside the head, pain in the limbs, or an aversion to normal light, the person needs medical attention. If disturbances of memory occur or daily duties can no longer be performed, a physician must be consulted to determine the cause.
Treatment and therapy
However, the side effects and a negative course in meningitis can be avoided. It is important that the therapy of meningitis begins immediately. For therapy, strong antibiotics are administered in most cases. After this initial measure is taken and the blood test is available to the attending physician, the antibiotics are adjusted to the blood test. Usually, they are then taken for 7 to 14 days. In the case of meningitis, the bacteria can also spread in the body, so that blood poisoning can also occur. In such a case, the therapy must be carried out in a hospital under intensive observation and treatment. Such an approach can considerably reduce the risk of serious complications as well as consequential damage. For one’s own safety, even if meningitis is not particularly advanced, therapy should be carried out in a hospital under medical supervision.
Aftercare
Meningitis is a dangerous and risky disease that requires appropriate aftercare even after the healing process is over.Already during the treatment of such inflammation of the meninges must not miss regular visits to the doctor. Otherwise, serious complications may occur, which cannot be recovered afterwards. For this reason, appropriate follow-up care is very important and significant. Possible complications can thus be detected, treated and eliminated at an early stage. Once the meningitis is completely over, further visits to the doctor are necessary. With appropriate follow-up care, later brain damage can be diagnosed at an early stage so that late consequences can be avoided. Even several years after the meningitis has been overcome, preventive examinations should always take place. Such examinations can nip serious complications in the bud. Appropriate and regular aftercare is just as important as the treatment itself. Only in this way can late complications or other diseases resulting from the past inflammation of the meninges be detected and treated. Therefore, a complete and lasting recovery is very much dependent on proper follow-up care.
Outlook and prognosis
The course of meningitis depends on whether it is caused by bacteria or viruses. If it is a mild disease, it may even resolve without treatment in some cases. Especially, however, a disease caused by bacteria will lead to death if it is not treated quickly. Meningitis caused by the virus herpes simplex can also assume life-threatening proportions. If the disease is suspected, treatment measures should be taken as soon as possible. The faster the treatment is given, the less likely it is that it will not be cured. Complications associated with meningitis are very common. If this is caused by bacteria, it can lead to swelling of the brain with increased intracranial pressure, or to blood clots, paralysis of the nerves or loss of hearing. Blood poisoning may also occur. These complications often arise when the disease is caused by meningococcus or pneumococcus. As a therapeutic measure, the doctor will use antibiotics to fight the bacteria. If this is done at an early stage of the disease, there is great hope for a cure. However, if it is viral meningitis, antibiotics will not help. If it does not heal on its own, viral drugs are used. Even then, the prognosis is positive.
What you can do yourself
Self-help or self-treatment leading to a cure is not possible with meningitis and is therefore not recommended under any circumstances. Treatment must always be administered by a physician. Absolute rest in the patient’s environment, darkened rooms and cold compresses for the head have a relieving effect during the disease. Accompanying homeopathic remedies such as Belladonna for the headache and Gelsemium sempervirens for the photosensitivity can be administered. Recommendations for a diet that supports the healing process during the illness vary. On the one hand, a diet deliberately rich in protein, such as meat broth with egg and drinking plenty of milk, is recommended to preserve physical strength as long as possible. On the other hand, foods that strengthen the immune system can support the healing process. Foods with antibiotic properties such as echinacea, onions, lemons, radishes, garlic and fresh vegetable juices are particularly helpful here. If vomiting prevents food intake, nutritional enemas can provide relief. In Germany, there are self-help groups on the subject of meningitis. After surviving the disease, patients and their relatives can share their experiences and talk to each other about various treatment options, memory training and help in everyday life.