Purulent meningitis

Purulent meningitis is a life-threatening inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, bacterial nature. Most often purulent meningitis is caused by meningococcal infection (20% of cases), pneumococci (up to 13%) and hemophilic rod (up to 50%). The remaining cases fall on the share of streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, salmonella, infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Friedlander's stick.

Types of purulent meningitis

Depending on the factors causing the disease, meningitis is divided into:

1. Primary purulent meningitis. They represent an independent disease, provoked by a bacterial infection (eg, meningococcal meningitis).
2. Secondary purulent meningitis. Develop as a complication in other diseases, most often with infections of ENT organs: otitis, sinusitis, etc.

In the form of the current, meningitis is divided into:

• lightning fast
• sharp;
• subacute;
• chronic.

Depending on the severity of the manifestation of clinical symptoms, the lung, middle, severe and extremely severe course of the disease is isolated.

How is purulent meningitis transmitted?

With this disease, the infection usually gets into the brain by the hematogenous way, that is, through the blood. By itself, meningitis is not contagious, but infectious are primary, and sometimes secondary bacterial infections that can cause it. Their transmission is possible by contact (through physical contact, through personal hygiene items) and by airborne droplets (mainly lor-infections, which can cause secondary purulent meningitis).

Symptoms of purulent meningitis

With purulent meningitis, there are:

• increased body temperature;
• general weakness;
• lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• headaches, aggravated by movement or any load;
• joint and muscle pain, decreased muscle tone;
• impaired vision and pain in the eyes;
• hearing impairment;
• paralysis of facial nerves, strabismus, swallowing disorders;
• skin rashes, which initially affect the limbs, but quickly spread throughout the body;
• confusion, delirium, hallucinations, coma.

Symptoms usually manifest in a fairly sharp form on the 2-3 day of the disease and tend to intensify. Rashes that can lead to the death of tissues, as well as obvious disorders of brain activity, represent the most dangerous factors that can lead to the death of the patient.

Diagnosis and treatment of purulent meningitis

In general, the clinical picture with meningitis is pronounced, and the diagnosis is easily established. To confirm it and to establish the type of bacterial infection, a puncture is performed (sampling of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis). When purulent meningitis directly during the withdrawal of the cerebrospinal fluid, its increased pressure and turbidity are detected. Further studies determine the increased content of protein and some leukocyte cells (primarily neutrophils). Determination of the type of bacterial infection is carried out with microscopic studies.

Since purulent meningitis is extremely serious and life-threatening disease, its treatment is conducted exclusively in a hospital, under medical supervision, and should begin as soon as possible.

The main treatment for purulent meningitis is a massive therapy with antibiotics of the penicillin and cephalosporin series. In parallel with antibiotics can be used:

• corticosteroids;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• droppers with saline and glucose;
• diuretics for the removal of intoxication of the body.