Meningitis is a deadly disease in which the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. The disease is caused by one or more microbes, it can be either a virus or a bacterium, a fungus.
Primary meningitis is distinguished when the disease is an independent form and can be caused by a virus or a bacterium (this is mainly meningococcus or Haemophilus influenzae). They are more common in children, adolescents, and the elderly. There is also secondary meningitis, which has no age differences. It occurs as a complication of viral diseases (measles, chickenpox, mumps, rubella) or purulent (otitis media, sinusitis, sepsis). Meningitis in kindergarten is a primary process, and most often it is caused by none other than meningococcus. Meningococcal meningitis is a form of infection.
What is meningococcal infection?
The disease is caused by a microbe that passes from one person to another through airborne droplets. This bacterium is highly contagious, but quickly dies oncool air, so flare-ups can occur from close contact or from people in a warm, enclosed area.
80% of cases of primary meningitis are associated with meningococcus, and severe forms almost always occur in children from six months of age (children up to 6-10 months are protected from the bacterium by maternal antibodies) or adolescents due to the fact that they have not yet managed to develop immunity to it. Therefore, meningococcal meningitis is also called "children's meningitis" (before it was called epidemic cerebrospinal because of its contagiousness).
Every year there are separate cases of meningococcal infection, then group B meningococcus is recorded. But once every three to four years there is an outbreak of meningitis caused by group A meningococcus. Most often, epidemics are observed in the winter-spring period, which is associated both with a general decrease in immunity during this period, and the fact that at this time of the year children hardly walk and are indoors.
There are several forms of meningococcal disease. The most dangerous of them in terms of contagiousness:
- carriage, when a person does not feel sick, while actively secreting a bacterium by airborne droplets for 2-4 weeks;
- meningococcal nasopharyngitis, which is easily tolerated, is often not diagnosed, as it looks like a common cold.
Other forms of infection are life threatening. These are meningitis (or meningoencephalitis) and meningococcal sepsis (meningococcemia). Meningitis in kindergarten, caused by this bacterium,does not necessarily occur with a rash, so you do not have to wait for it to appear. As well as the appearance of an unusual rash, even without any other signs, is a reason to call an ambulance (not a local pediatrician, but an ambulance, as the bill sometimes goes by minutes).
How does meningococcal meningitis manifest?
The disease almost always starts acutely, but it can also develop as a complication of meningococcal nasopharyngitis, then it will be preceded by a slight fever, runny nose, pain and discomfort in the throat. The first symptoms are a severe headache that occurs simultaneously with a rise in temperature to high numbers. Also appear vomiting (it is often multiple, after it does not get better), photophobia. The sensitivity of the skin to ordinary touches increases (they begin to cause discomfort). Meningitis can develop quickly, with only 2-3 hours from the onset of a severe headache to loss of consciousness, but it can also develop slowly.
Violation of consciousness usually looks like lethargy, which turns into somnolence, it becomes difficult to wake the child. Sometimes this condition is preceded by convulsions (short-term and longer with impaired consciousness), sometimes - agitation and inadequacy of the child.
Rash is not a mandatory sign. With meningococcal infection, the elements of the rash almost always have the following characteristics:
- dark color;
- dense to the touch, it seems that they protrude above the surface of the skin;
-most often begin to appear on the hands, feet, shins, forearms, buttocks, on the torso and head - then;
- shape - close to the shape of a star;
- there may be areas of necrosis;
- the rash does not fade when glass is pressed against it or the skin under it is stretched.
Even if there are no such symptoms, just an incomprehensible rash arose against a background of fever, and it does not look like an allergic rash, this is a reason to call an ambulance.
How not to "catch" meningitis in kindergarten?
It is impossible to protect yourself from this disease 100%. But if the child is hardened, do not forget about the prophylactic intake of vitamins in the cold season, immediately contact the ENT, pediatrician or infectious disease specialist if a cough, snot, and other signs of SARS occur, then meningococcus can be prevented from getting from the nasopharynx somewhere further. If a meningococcal infection is found in the kindergarten, you should consult with an infectious disease specialist about the prophylactic use of antibiotics (maybe it makes sense to take a culture from the nasopharynx). For all adults, if there are signs of ARVI, with a child, wear a mask.
Vaccination against meningococcus gives a big guarantee, which can only be given to children over two years old every three to four years (depending on the vaccine). After vaccination, there is usually only a local reaction and an increase in temperature within 36 hours (this indicates the formation of immunity).
Vaccination is especially indicated for children with congenital problems with the central nervous system, since they develop meningitis in kindergarten most often.
