A visual guide to meningitis

Meningitis in children or adults is very dangerous, can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Meningitis can come from many different causes and should be taken to the hospital as soon as there are suspicious signs.

Meningitis occurs when the protective barrier of the brain and spinal cord becomes inflamed and begins to show signs of swelling. This barrier layer is called the meninges. Meningitis especially occurs when bacteria, viruses infect the fluid around the brain or in the spinal cord, thereby spreading and causing inflammation. For parasites, fungi, other diseases or trauma can also cause meningitis.
Patients may develop typical symptoms suddenly, but usually they will occur a few days after the patient has a cold, flu or other signs of stomach disease such as vomiting, diarrhea. Symptoms of meningitis depend in part on age and the type of disease acquired. In general, the patient will feel fatigue, malaise and fever, along with signs of stiff neck, headache. In addition, the patient may also have nausea, vomiting, photophobia and a red rash on the skin.
Of these, bacterial meningitis can begin with a simple ear or sinus infection. Some cases can also come from a hard blow to the head, at a time before bacteria get to the meninges. If not treated immediately, this disease can cause brain damage, learning disabilities and hearing problems, even life-threatening. The patient's body will then have an overreaction to the bacteria, called sepsis, which will destroy organ tissues. Therefore, as soon as these symptoms appear, it is necessary to bring the patient to the doctor as soon as possible.
For viral meningitis, the causative agent can be many different viruses, the most common of which is the Enteroviruses family of viruses, including viruses that cause common colds. This form of meningitis is usually less dangerous than bacterial meningitis. However, the symptoms of these two clinical forms are almost similar, so the patient still needs to be taken to the hospital early to diagnose which form of the disease has, from which the treatment will be more effective and accurate. .
Meningitis caused by fungi and other causes such as parasites is rarer. This is meningitis but not an infection. The cause of this form of the disease can be a head injury, brain surgery, lupus erythematosus, cancer, or the use of certain medications.

Meningitis in children is also a medical condition to watch out for, and the severity is quite high. According to statistics, children under 5 years of age are at increased risk of viral meningitis, and puberty will have a higher risk of bacterial meningitis. Young children may not have the same typical symptoms as adults. Young children often have symptoms of lethargy, difficult to wake up, fussy when breastfeeding, difficult to calm the baby... Clinically, the examination can see yellowish skin, a small, tender bump on the head called a bulging fontanel. Therefore, if the parents observe these signs at home, they should immediately notify the doctor for timely emergency.

To diagnose meningitis, the doctor will have to do a clinical examination on the patient, and at the same time will examine the throat, ears, spine ..., exploiting information related to the medical history or infection recent infection of the patient. In addition, the doctor can also check the patient's blood for certain types of bacteria with a blood culture to identify bacteria or a CT scan or MRI of the spine to check for swelling. . To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a lumbar puncture procedure taken from the spine to find out if the cause is viral or bacterial.
Depending on the cause of the disease, there are different treatments for meningitis:
Treatment of viral meningitis: Rest and drink plenty of water is the best treatment in this case. After about 1-2 weeks, the patient's symptoms will subside. In addition, patients may also be prescribed antipyretic or pain relievers in some cases, and corticosteroids can be used in some cases to reduce brain edema. Treatment of bacterial meningitis: Antibiotic treatment is essential in this case, depending on the type of bacteria, there will be appropriate antibiotics. If the patient vomits too much, they will be rehydrated intravenously. Corticosteroids will also be needed to reduce brain swelling and prevent hearing loss and other complications. Treatment of fungal meningitis: Corticosteroids, anticonvulsants will be prescribed to treat the patient's symptoms. If a fungus is found, some antifungal drugs can be used.

In summary, meningitis is an extremely dangerous disease that patients need to pay attention to, especially in children because the symptoms are extremely severe and have a high likelihood of complications. Therefore, proactively vaccinating against meningitis at an early age according to the advice of a doctor is the most effective way to prevent the disease.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital provides meningococcal vaccination services for customers in need. Benefits of vaccination at Vinmec Hospital:
Customers are fully examined and screened for problems with their general health and well-being, and are advised on preventive vaccines, injection regimens, and care and post-injection monitoring in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization; Having a team of experienced doctors and nurses, knowledgeable about effective pain relief during and after vaccination; 100% of vaccinated customers are monitored for their health within 30 minutes after the injection and their health is reassessed before leaving; Having an emergency team ready to handle the correct treatment regimen when anaphylaxis, respiratory failure - circulatory arrest occurs after injection; Vaccination room is airy, creating a comfortable feeling for customers; Vaccines are imported and preserved in a modern cold storage system with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, ensuring the best quality vaccines; The customer receives a message informing the injection schedule before the injection date, and synchronizes the customer's vaccination information with the national vaccination information system.