Serous meningitis is a lesion of the membranes of the brain, which is accompanied by serous inflammation. The causative agents of the disease are viruses, fungi or bacteria. Most often, viral meningitis occurs in children and adolescents. For adults, this disease is rare.
Meningitis: transmission routes and causes of the disease
Basically, the disease occurs against the background of damage to the body by enteroviruses. It is extremely rare, but it also happens that the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis becomes the cause of the disease. In addition, serous meningitis can be the result of diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, or develop against the background of HIV infection. Recently, cases of serous meningitis of bacterial etiology have become more frequent. What is it characterized by? With a disease, the membranes of the brain thicken, its edema occurs. However, brain cells do not die, as in bacterial purulent meningitis. That is why this form of the disease is considered easier and less dangerous for the patient. The disease is transmitted mainly in three ways: airborne, contact and water. The incubation period is usually around 4 days.
Symptoms of meningitis
As soon as the incubation period of the disease is over, the disease manifests itself quite aggressively. On the first or second day, a pronounced meningeal syndrome begins to appear: a fever with an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees, which passes in two stages.
The second sign of serous meningitis can be safely called a persistent headache, which increases with movement and is not relieved by painkillers. Another symptom of the disease is nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. A child may experience suspension syndrome - when, when lifting the baby by the armpits, he reflexively bends his legs. As a rule, serous viral meningitis resolves fairly quickly. Somewhere in 5 days the temperature returns to normal and the disease recedes. But it is worth remembering that in each case, the symptoms may differ or be less pronounced.
Treatment of disease
Prevention of serous meningitis, of course, helps to protect the body from the disease. But if you still get sick, you should know the main thing - serous meningitis is caused by viruses, and antibiotics are completely useless here. They can be prescribed to you only until the moment when the diagnosis is made accurately. Basically, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are prescribed. These include "Interferon" and "Arpetol", the drug "Acyclovir" can also be prescribed. If the patient's immunity is severely weakened, then he can be prescribed a course of immunoglobulin. The patient will certainlybed rest shown.
Prevention of serous meningitis
During the period when outbreaks of meningitis are possible, it is worth limiting swimming in open water. You should drink only boiled water, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene and wash vegetables and fruits. In general, the whole prevention of serous meningitis comes down to following the elementary rules that we all know about. But there is another method that can prevent the disease. In early childhood, a meningitis vaccine is given, which lasts about 4 years. Well, and most importantly - use more vitamins, and then the immune system will cope with any ailment. Remember, prevention of serous meningitis is much easier and easier to treat!
