In the expression "Don't go without a hat in winter, otherwise you will get meningitis" there is some truth, but no more. Walking in cold weather without a hat is not the way to get meningitis, but under such conditions a person can more easily catch a germ. And it is not a fact that it will not penetrate the meninges and cause inflammation, as the body will be further weakened due to hypothermia.
How can you get meningitis?
This disease is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi.
The virus can get to a person:
a) by airborne droplets. This is how rubella, chickenpox, mumps, measles, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, herpes group viruses penetrate. A he althy person can be infected not only by a person who is sick with some form of a viral infection, but also in some cases by someone who is a he althy carrier, as well as one whose disease is still in the incubation period;
b) through dirty hands and food. This is how enteroviruses are transmitted;
c) through the use of commonplates, spoons, toothbrush, nipples, toys. Sharing the same cigarette also counts.
An ill person often actively excretes the virus with saliva, which remains on the listed household items, a he althy person can only place the virus on the oral mucosa. Almost all viruses capable of causing meningitis are transmitted in this way;
d) some viruses can enter a person through the bite of an insect or arthropod (tick);
e) when the contents of the rash get on intact skin or mucous membranes. This applies to herpes simplex viruses I and II types. That is why pregnant women with an exacerbation of a herpes infection (especially if the rash is on the genitals) are not allowed to give birth on their own, but perform a caesarean section;
e) Epstein-Barr viruses, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex viruses can be transmitted through organ transplants and blood transfusions.
How to get viral meningitis, of course. But this does not mean that if you get a virus, you will definitely develop this disease. Usually, after this, the person suffers another form of infection, but if his body is weakened:
- constant stress;
- pregnancy;
- taking cytostatics or corticosteroid hormones for rheumatic, oncological, autoimmune diseases;
- serious illness;
- if we are talking about a premature baby or a child with a congenital pathology of the central nervous system (cerebral palsy, intrauterine infection, due to which in the braincysts or areas of hemorrhage have formed), you are more likely to develop meningitis.
How do you get bacterial meningitis?
This disease is usually more severe than viral. But the bacterium enters the meninges mainly with complications:
- otitis, - sinusitis, - frontal and ethmoidites, - boils and carbuncles located in the face and neck (therefore, "pimples" on the face do not squeeze out on their own, and if they are opened by surgeons, then only in hospital conditions), - sepsis, - pneumonia, - penetrating stab wounds to the cranial cavity.
In this case, it is clear how to catch meningitis: you do not need to treat purulent diseases on time and correctly, refuse hospitalization if it is offered.
At risk of getting sick with such meningitis (it is called "secondary purulent"): the same categories of people as in the case of viral meningitis, as well as those who suffer from liquorrhea - a constant outflow (due to a defect in some bone structure of the skull) cerebrospinal fluid from the nose or ear.
A separate category is primary purulent meningitis. It can be called:
a) meningococcus;
b) pneumococcus;
c) Haemophilus influenzae.
This is one that can be infected by airborne droplets from a he althy carrier of microbes, and in the case of meningococcal etiology, from a patient with nasopharyngitis or a generalized form of meningococcal infection (shecalled meningococcemia).
Only meningococcal meningitis can be contracted from a patient with meningitis. To do this, you need to:
- there was close contact (as between parents and children, a man and a woman or in children's groups), - it should take place in a warm room (meningococcus dies quickly in the cold), - the human body must be weakened or immunity must not be developed (as in children).
You cannot contract this disease if you have been in contact with a patient who has already started antibiotics. In addition, if you or your child came into contact with a person who was diagnosed with meningococcal infection or meningococcal meningitis a few days later, then there is an emergency prophylaxis - Spiramycin, Azithromycin or even Ciprofloxacin. They will reduce the chance of getting sick to almost zero if no more than 10 days have passed since contact with the patient.
General advice on how to avoid contracting meningitis
- Apply in time for diseases of the ENT organs or a purulent infection of the skin, especially in the head and neck.
- If you have liquorrhea, discuss with several ENT doctors the possibility of surgical closure of the bone defect.
- Do not communicate with people who have manifestations of viral diseases: cough, incomprehensible rash, sore throat, conjunctivitis, sneezing, runny nose. If there is no other option, put on a gauze or disposable mask for the sick person or yourself.
- Put it on yourselfmask for signs of acute respiratory infections, especially if there are small children in the house.
- Wash your hands vegetables; boil milk and water before drinking.
- Teach your child not to share utensils, toys, and avoid contact with sick children.
- Don't share lipsticks, toothbrushes.
- Don't smoke one cigarette.
- When swimming in a pond, do not swallow water.
- Watermelons, melons and berries are best bought in supermarkets that are equipped with storage facilities and have the appropriate sanitary documents.
- Don't lick a pacifier that has been dropped to give to your baby: you can live with meningococcus or other germs in your mouth, and it can cause meningitis in your baby.
- Vaccinate children by age. In addition, if the child attends kindergarten (especially if he is registered with a neurologist), it is necessary to discuss with the pediatrician the need for additional vaccination against meningococcus and pneumococcus.
