Meningitis - treatment

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Many factors cause this illness. But whatever provokes its development, treatment should be carried out urgently, because some forms of this ailment can lead to death.

How are different forms of meningitis treated?

Treatment of meningitis is not carried out at home! The patient needs hospitalization and competent diagnostics of the type of illness, since the whole course of therapy depends on him.

If a patient has acute bacterial or viral meningitis, treatment should be based on intravenous infusion of medications. Only such a method of drug administration will provide recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Antibiotics are used to treat this type of meningitis. Their choice depends on the type of bacteria that caused the disease. The most commonly used are Ceftriaxone , Penicillin and Cefotaxime. At risk of mortally dangerous complications, patients are prescribed Vancomycin.

When meningococcal meningitis treatment is carried out with the help of etiotropic and pathogenetic agents. And noninfectious forms of this disease that appear against the background of an allergic reaction or autoimmune diseases can be treated with cortisone drugs.

And if a person has a viral form of this disease, then antiviral drugs are prescribed. For example, treatment of serous meningitis is carried out with the help of Interferon and Arpetol. And if this affliction was caused by the Epstein-Barr virus or herpes, then Acyclovir is prescribed.

Purulent meningitis requires complex treatment. Therapy consists of a shock dose of antibiotic drugs, which belong to the group of penicillins and aminoglycosides, as well as the use of auxiliaries (diuretics and hormonal drugs, Neocompensan, glucose, hemodeza and albumin).

Prevention of meningitis

The best prevention of meningitis is vaccination. It will protect you from certain diseases that can become the cause of its appearance. The most commonly used triple vaccination against measles, rubella and mumps, a meningococcal vaccine and a vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Also as a preventive measure of meningitis:

1. Avoid contact with people who are sick with this ailment.
2. Wear disposable protective masks during infectious epidemics.
3. Observe the rules of hygiene.
4. Maintain a normal immune status of the body.