Meningitis is one of the most dangerous diseases that can lead to death. Physicians distinguish several types of meningitis, depending on which parts of the brain are affected, as well as who became its causative agent - the virus or bacteria:
- meningococcal;
- secondary;
- serous;
- protozoal.
Next, we will consider the symptoms of serous meningitis, as well as measures to prevent it.
What is serous meningitis?
Serous meningitis occurs due to the defeat of the brain's lower surface by enteroviruses - Coxsackie and Echo. This virus is stable in the environment, and is transmitted to a person through:
- water;
- food - vegetables and fruits, meat, etc.
- dirty hands;
- airborne droplets (under the condition of high concentration in the air).
Scientists believe that this virus is most likely to pick up when swimming - in ponds, pool, and the greatest chance of getting infected in people with weak immunity.
Among the main risk group are children from 3 to 6 years old, because their immunity is only being formed - the mother's already ceases to function during this period. For the same reason - the effect of maternal immunity, children under six months of meningitis get sick only in extremely rare cases.
Also, doctors believe that in the summer the infection with meningitis is most likely.
Thus, the prevention and treatment of serous meningitis is associated with the correction of immunity, but the treatment includes additional medications.
Symptoms of serous meningitis
Meningitis begins acutely - the patient raises the temperature to 40 degrees. He is suffering from headaches , aching muscles, and probably a disorder of the stool.
In more severe cases, the patient experiences convulsions - this is due to brain damage, as well as an unstable mental state: a delusional state and anxiety.
After a week, the temperature drops to normal, the body regains its functions, but during this period, a relapse of the disease is possible.
If a person has been ill with serous meningitis, then after recovery he should be observed with a neurologist, since after this illness long-term residual events in the form of asthenic conditions, headaches, etc., can be observed.
Measures to prevent serous meningitis
Often, the disease is easier to prevent than cure, and therefore much attention should be paid to the prevention of serous viral meningitis.
These measures can be divided into two parts: regimens and medications.
Regime methods of prevention of meningitis:
- Since open reservoirs often become a source of infection, then swimming should be where permitted by the sanitary and epidemiological service.
- Drinking boiled, purified water also reduces the likelihood of infection with the virus.
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and timely washing of hands helps to protect yourself not only from infection with meningitis, but also other viruses.
- Also, the virus of meningitis can be on unwashed vegetables and fruits, so they should be poured with boiling water before use; this rule especially applies to those people who have had meningitis in the past.
- Quenching the body helps to increase its protective functions against viruses and bacteria.
- Compliance with the vaccination regime - against measles, mumps, rubella helps to reduce the likelihood of complications in case of infection with meningitis.
Preparations for the prevention of serous meningitis
Prevention of enterovirus serous meningitis is also in taking medications that strengthen immunity:
- vitamins: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), as well as vitamins B2, B6;
- antiviral medications: arbidol, tamiflu, remantadine, amixin, interferon, etc.
Some physicians believe that antiviral drugs do not have the same effect as stated in the instructions, but some believe that these medicines can enhance the body's resistance, especially on the basis of interferon, a protective protein in the human blood.