There are many infectious diseases in the world that occur for various reasons. Some of them are very dangerous, and those diagnosed with them require urgent hospitalization and therapy. During epidemics of infectious pathologies, preventive medical and sanitary measures are taken in educational institutions (kindergartens, schools, universities, colleges, and so on).
Serous meningitis
This disease is an infection that is caused by various pathogens. It is manifested by an inflammatory process in the meninges, as a result of which fluid accumulates in them, consisting mainly of lymph.
Serous meningitis (ICD-10 code G02.0), in contrast to the purulent form of this disease, is not so severe and in most cases is easily treatable. Most often, this infection occurs in children and adolescents, but sometimes adults also get sick.
Meningitis: causes of the disease and its varieties
There are several types of pathology. First of all, there are primary and secondary serous meningitis. Firsta variety is a distinct disease (for example, caused by specific ECHO or Coxsackie viruses). The second form manifests itself as a complication of infectious pathologies. This disease often occurs after the flu, measles, mumps, rubella, herpetic sore throat.
There is also another classification depending on the etiology of serous meningitis. Given such a factor as pathogens that provoke the disease, the following varieties are distinguished:
- Viral meningitis.
- Bacterial (most often this disease is caused by causative agents of syphilis and tuberculosis).
- Fungal (this form of infection is provoked by microorganisms such as the Candida fungus).
With serous meningitis in adults, the symptoms are about the same as in children (headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, increased tearing). Signs of the primary and secondary forms of infection are also almost the same.
Routes of infection
Before the 1960s, there were many more cases of serous meningitis than today. This was associated with periodic epidemics of infantile spinal paralysis. The widespread use of the polio vaccine has led to a significant decrease in the incidence of serous meningitis. However, epidemics of this disease still occur. Most outbreaks occur in summer and early autumn. The answer to the question of whether meningitis is contagious is definitely yes. There are several routes of infection. In most cases, the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets.way. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi that cause infection are released into the air through coughs and sneezes.
How is meningitis transmitted from person to person? Firstly, when in contact with the patient and using his things or personal hygiene items. Secondly, through the placenta from a pregnant woman to a child (which, however, happens extremely rarely). You can also become infected with serous meningitis through unwashed berries, vegetables and fruits, as well as when swimming in untreated open water during an epidemic. Carriers of the disease are rats and mice, as well as ticks. Therefore, when rodents are found indoors, it is extremely important to take measures to combat them. And before going into the forest, you should protect yourself as much as possible from a tick bite.
Who is most at risk of getting sick?
The serous meningitis virus mainly affects children, but also adults with weak immune systems who are prone to infectious diseases. In addition, the presence of malignant neoplasms, tuberculosis, HIV infection can become a risk factor. To the question of how to protect yourself from meningitis, the answer is quite simple: it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. To do this, avoid stressful situations, overload, do not overcool, take vitamins and eat he althy foods. It is known that bacteria and viruses provoke meningitis, the causes of the disease, that is, its pathogens, can be carried by rodents. Therefore, people living in unsanitary conditions are at risk of contracting this infection.
Serous meningitis in childhood
In minors, this disease can be caused by various causes and is accompanied by signs of brain disorders and general intoxication.
At the onset of illness, children experience fever, increased breathing and heart rate, and fever. The child's face becomes red or pale, he becomes capricious, restless, whiny, he has no appetite. Nausea, vomiting and upset stool occur. The first signs that should alert parents are a headache (it is usually localized in the forehead, temples or back of the head), as well as skin rashes. Unfortunately, meningitis in children is much more serious than in adults, and often leads to severe consequences, including coma and death. Babies who have had this disease have impaired kidney function, vision and hearing, seizures, intellectual retardation and learning difficulties.
Some children have heart disease, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, strabismus. It has been established that the younger the child, the more likely it is that the infection will end in death. Meningitis in infancy is most often fatal. A child who has had this infection needs regular medical supervision. He also needs to undergo examinations prescribed by the doctor from time to time.
The main prevention of serous meningitis in children is vaccination. If at least one child in a children's institution falls ill with thisinfection, it is necessary to close the organization for quarantine and conduct a survey of persons who have been in contact with the infected. In addition, from an early age, children need to be taught to observe the rules of personal hygiene. It is important to ensure that the child regularly wash their hands, do not use other people's items (such as towels, toothbrushes), do not swim in open water during epidemics, do not eat unwashed fruits, berries and vegetables, and do not drink raw water.
How does the disease progress in adults? Key Features
First of all, it should be noted that this disease is characterized by a latent period, which usually lasts from two to four days. Is meningitis contagious at this time? Unfortunately yes. A person who does not yet know that he is sick and who has not yet shown signs of pathology is able to infect others.
After the end of the latent period, pathological phenomena begin to appear. An increase in temperature to 40 degrees often accompanies a disease such as serous meningitis. In adults, symptoms may include:
- Muscle pain, general weakness.
- Fever for three days, dropping sharply and then reappearing.
- Signs of poisoning (diarrhoea, stomach pain, flatulence, nausea and repeated vomiting independent of food intake).
- Headache, aggravated by external stimuli (light, sound, smell), as well as by movement. The patient feels some improvement in well-being when he is in darkness, silence andin complete peace.
- Strain neck muscles.
- Decrease in heart rate.
- Disorders of consciousness. As a rule, coma or fainting does not occur with an infection such as serous meningitis in adults. Symptoms of this nature are most often found in children. Although in adults, they can occur with severe infection and the absence of adequate therapy.
Other signs
Meningitis can also be recognized by some external manifestations:
- Face redness.
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.
- Rash in the form of bubbles in the area of the nasolabial triangle.
- Red throat with outward signs of herpetic sore throat.
- Sneezing, coughing and runny nose.
- Sluggishness.
Redness of the pharynx, rash and cough are observed primarily with the simultaneous course of herpetic sore throat and the development of such complications as serous meningitis. In adults, symptoms resembling poisoning or intestinal infection predominate in the disease caused by the Coxsackievirus.
Armstrong's meningitis
This pathology is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process in the meninges, lungs and heart muscle. The disease begins suddenly. Its first signs are fever, vomiting and headache. Patients also experience impaired consciousness, hearing, and vision. On the tenth day after the onset of the first symptoms, with adequate therapy, the patient's condition improves, but slight weakness may persist.for several weeks. Cases of Armstrong's meningitis are most common in winter and spring. The carriers of the disease are rats and mice. A person becomes infected from rodents by inhaling dust containing excrement in which microorganisms are present.
Diagnostic measures for suspected serous meningitis
If, during the examination, the doctor reveals signs indicating that the patient has this infection, he directs the patient for additional examinations. If serous meningitis is suspected, diagnosis includes the following activities:
- Laboratory tests of blood and urine to detect possible abnormalities in their composition (for example, an increased white blood cell count).
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Chest x-ray.
- Computed tomography.
- Spinal puncture to assess the condition of the cerebrospinal fluid (if there is an infection in the body, the cerebrospinal fluid contains a large number of lymphocytes).
Symptoms characteristic of serous meningitis, in some cases, may indicate the presence of other pathologies. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, a specialist needs to conduct a set of tests and various diagnostic procedures.
Therapy
In adults, this infection is usually not too severe. In most cases, it does not lead to the death of the patient. However, timely treatment is necessary, as it prevents the development of complications. Knowing how contagious the disease is and how meningitis is transmitted from person to person, doctors whodiagnosed with this infection in a patient, it is recommended that he immediately go to the hospital. In addition, it is possible to cure the disease and avoid possible consequences only in a hospital setting.
Treatment for serous meningitis includes the following:
- In the bacterial form, antibiotics and agents are prescribed to combat pathogens.
- Drugs that stimulate fluid flow (such as furosemide) are prescribed to relieve pressure inside the skull.
- If a patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis, he must take drugs aimed at combating the causative agents of this disease (rifampicin, pyrazinamide).
- To relax the muscles, drugs with a calming effect are prescribed (for example, Seduxen).
- Antipyretic drugs are used to reduce fever.
- In case of severe intoxication, the patient is given droppers with a special solution.
- Severe headache is relieved with analgesics.
Consequences of pathology
Severe form of serous meningitis is dangerous for the development of complications. First of all, it is a violation of the functions of the organs of hearing and vision. In addition, with advanced infection and in the absence of adequate therapy, patients may develop coma, paralysis, inflammatory pathologies of the pancreas, testicles. Sometimes there is a deterioration in cognitive functions. In general, serous meningitis is more dangerous for children than for adults. In juvenile patients, both the infection itself and its consequences are serious. Somechildren who have undergone this disease, mental abnormalities are observed. However, this does not mean that adults with meningitis symptoms can self-medicate. This disease requires immediate medical attention.
Recovery activities
The consequences of the infection (headaches, weakness) can be observed in adults for several weeks. Therefore, after serous meningitis, rehabilitation is essential. It allows you to restore the body and strengthen the immune system, weakened as a result of the disease. It is also necessary to establish the work of the central nervous system and improve the outflow of fluid. Patient rehabilitation activities include the following:
- Electrophoresis.
- Massage treatments.
- Therapeutic baths.
- Physiotherapy with electromagnetic waves.
- UV irradiation.
- Reception of vitamin complexes to strengthen the body's defenses.
- If you experience recurrent bouts of cephalalgia after an infection, your specialist may prescribe pain medication.
Also, patients are offered spa treatment (usually in cities such as Sochi or Crimea). Sea water has a beneficial effect on the body and increases its resistance to infections and the possibility of recovery.
How to protect yourself from meningitis?
This disease is contagious, and in order to protect yourself from infection, you must take precautions, especially during the seasonaloutbreaks of infection. First of all, it is important to keep the room clean, wash the floor regularly, and ventilate the rooms. Products (especially vegetables, fruits and berries) must be properly stored and washed before use. Since the causative agent of meningitis, the ECHO virus, lives in water bodies, swimming should be avoided during epidemics.
It is also necessary to deal with rodents (mice, rats), as they can also carry the disease. Before walking in the forest, it is important to protect yourself from a tick bite. Also remember to wash your hands regularly, preferably with antibacterial soap. If one of the relatives fell ill with this infection, contact with him should, if possible, be avoided, do not use his personal hygiene items, utensils. It is recommended that the patient's clothes and bedding be washed thoroughly.
In the presence of infectious diseases (including children's), they must be treated in a timely manner. It is also recommended to strengthen the body with the help of vitamins, regular walks in the fresh air, a balanced diet, he althy sleep, sports and tempering procedures. Since the disease is contagious, when epidemics occur, children's institutions and educational institutions temporarily stop their work, and a set of sanitary, medical and hygienic measures are taken to prevent further spread of the infection. During an outbreak of serous meningitis, quarantine in kindergartens and schools usually lasts at least two weeks.
