Prognosis

The prognosis of meningitis depends on the time of diagnosis, the type of pathogen and the accompanying disease of the patient. Patients with meningococcal meningitis die in 10% of cases.In case of listeria infection the mortality rate is even 50% and in case of pneumococcus 25%. If the patients survive, however, it is not yet possible to make a statement about the consequential damage. The possibilities range from no symptoms at all to severe mental retardation.

Meningitis in children

The pathogens that most frequently lead to meningitis in children are Haemophilus influenzae (if no appropriate immunization has been carried out), in over 50% of meningocococci, and streptococci. The incidence of meningitis in children is higher than in adults. The symptoms, such as stiff neck, sensitivity to light, deterioration of general condition and high fever, occur in children as well. In contrast to babies, children usually describe the symptoms very precisely and in detail, which is helpful in finding a diagnosis and saves important time during treatment. The diagnosis is also made according to the adult treatment.

Meningitis in babies

The most common pathogens in babies for meningitis are E. Coli, group B streptococci and listeria. In babies, the lack of clear symptoms makes diagnosis extremely difficult. In addition to crying and pain signaling, babies are usually conspicuous by extremely high fever with subsequent clouding and are presented to a doctor.

An unusual refusal to eat and discoloration of the skin with pale spots can also be harbingers of this serious infectious disease. Sometimes a bulging fontanel is a sign of meningitis in a pronounced course of the disease. In some cases, initial neurological abnormalities already indicate meningitis.

Often the treatment takes place relatively late. In babies, the diagnosis corresponds to that of adults. In addition to a neurological examination, brain water punctures and ocular fundus imaging are performed.

For several years now, infants have been vaccinated preventively against Haemophilus influenzae, which can also lead to meningitis. The vaccinations are repeated in the third, fourth, fifth and 12th month of life. Especially between March and November, with a disease peak in July, meningitis can be transmitted by ticks.

This is a viral infection caused by the TBE virus that ticks carry inside themselves. Especially areas such as Russia, the Baltic States, Eastern Europe, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Carinthia and the Balkans are considered high-risk areas. After a tick bite and virus transmission, an incubation period of 5-28 days occurs before the disease breaks out.

In 70-90% of the cases, a so-called asymptomatic course occurs. The rest typically progresses with a bipolar fever increase, as well as symptoms of viral flu. After the first defibrillation with a corresponding improvement in symptoms, there is then a renewed rise in fever with the symptoms typical of meningitis, such as headaches, neck stiffness and neurological limitations.

As a complication, a so-called meningoencephalitis can occur, i.e. an inflammation of the brain in addition to meningitis. This course is highly dangerous and can also lead to death. The diagnosis is made when the patient states that he or she has been travelling in an area where ticks have been seen in the last few days or months or has also been bitten by a tick and shows the typical symptoms of meningitis.

Subsequently, a blood count is made, which shows the inflammation values such as CRP and leucocytes, but also includes a determination of the pathogen. The treatment is carried out with Doxycyclin as an antibiotic, whereby a treatment period of 2 weeks should not be undercut. The most important measure to prevent TBE meningitis is the protection and prevention of infection.

Especially in risk areas, arm and leg covering clothing should be worn during the corresponding endangered seasons. The use of insect repellent can also be helpful. If a tick bite has occurred, the tick should be removed immediately and the bite site disinfected.

Make sure that the tick is completely removed from the skin. For this purpose, special tick forceps are suitable, which can be bought in the pharmacy. If parts of the tick remain in the skin, the risk of TBE transmission is nevertheless reduced.

After a tick bite, the skin area should be observed accordingly. A circular reddening around the bite site could mean the beginning of Lyme disease. In this case, antibiotic treatment should definitely be started.For people who live in high-risk areas and who often travel in forest areas, consideration should be given to having an appropriate vaccination carried out in advance. After a tick bite, vaccination does not make sense, since a TBE infection that has developed here can no longer be stopped.