9 myths about meningitis that can no longer be believed

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In fact, hats have nothing to do with it and not only children are sick.

1. Meningitis happens if you don't wear a hat

This is the most beloved myth that parents use to scare rebellious children. It is connected with the fact that there is a connection in our minds: cold is colds, severe cold is severe colds, in particular meningitis. In fact, this is not the case.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. This inflammation can be caused by:

• Viruses. Meningitis can be a complication of influenza, herpes, measles, mumps.
• Bacteria. There are "special" bacteria called meningococci that cause the disease. In addition, other bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis, pneumococcal and hemophilic infections, also lead to the development of meningitis.
• Fungi, parasites, protozoa. All of these types of organisms can cause meningitis, which is difficult to treat.

Most meningitis is transmitted by airborne droplets, but some bacteria and protozoa can enter the body through contaminated water or food.

Cold ears or an uncovered head do not spread meningitis.

Although, if, due to hypothermia, the immune defense is weakened and at the same moment the body encounters a bacterium or virus, the chances of getting meningitis will increase.

2. Meningitis does not die

It is not true. Meningitis is a deadly disease. Of course, much depends on the causative agent of the disease and on the condition of the patient himself. Viral meningitis is relatively easy for Viral Meningitis when compared to bacterial.

Meningitis caused by bacteria can often lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. In this sense, meningococci are very dangerous. They cause meningitis, which develops rapidly, and a person can die in just a few hours.

Due to the complex course of the disease, every tenth person who becomes ill with bacterial meningitis dies.

3. Meningitis is a childhood disease

No, both children and adults get meningitis. But the risk of getting sick is higher in young children, the elderly and people with suppressed immune systems (due to HIV infection or chemotherapy). In addition, young children are often not immune to vaccinations. And as a result, they suffer from meningitis dozens of times more often than adults. Meningococcal infection and purulent bacterial meningitis in the Russian Federation: a ten-year epidemiological observation.

Meningitis is most dangerous for newborns who have not yet turned one month old. The next dangerous age is from three to eight months.

4. Meningitis is when the head hurts badly

Indeed, headache is one of the main symptoms of meningitis. But far from the only one. Moreover, the course of the disease may differ, because it also depends on the cause of meningitis.

In children and adults, the disease can also occur in different ways. Childhood meningitis is more dangerous than an adult because it is difficult to calculate, especially when a toddler cannot speak or express thoughts.

Common symptoms of meningitis in children:

• Irritability.
• Refusal to eat.
• Heat.
• Weakness, lethargy, drowsiness.
• Vomiting is possible.

That is, these are symptoms that can appear in general with any disease: from the common cold to poisoning.

Symptoms of meningitis in adults:

• Heat.
• Headache.
• Stiff neck muscles. Rigidity is high density, inflexibility. The patient lies in a certain position, it is difficult for him to bend his neck.
• Photophobia. Light irritates the eyes and makes headaches worse.
• Sleepiness to the point that a person is difficult to wake up.
• Nausea and vomiting.

The main symptom of meningococcal infection is a characteristic hemorrhagic rash. This means that the rash resembles hemorrhage or bruising. They can be small, like stars, which gradually become larger and merge into spots. If you click on such a rash, it will not fade.

Sometimes the "glass method" is used for diagnosis. You need to take a transparent glass and press it on the area of the skin with the rash. If the spots are visible through the glass, you need to call an ambulance so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

It is important to tell the ambulance dispatcher that the patient has such a rash. This is a special case, you need to act quickly.

5. There is no cure for meningitis

It all depends on what type of meningitis you are talking about.

• Viral meningitis usually goes away on its own, including because there are not many effective antiviral drugs. If meningitis, for example, is caused by a flu or herpes virus, then doctors may use special antiviral drugs, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
• Bacterial and fungal meningitis is treated with antibiotics.

In any case, meningitis is treated in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. In addition to antibiotics, infusion therapy is used - the infusion of nutrient solutions that help maintain water balance. They also prescribe drugs that reduce the risk of cerebral edema, use oxygen masks if breathing difficulties arise. To make it easier for the patient, pain relievers and antiemetic drugs are used.

6. Meningitis only affects poor countries

In some countries with a low standard of living (in Africa, in Saudi Arabia), meningitis does get sick more and more often. In general, meningitis is a rather rare infection, but not enough to forget about its existence.

5 to 10% of adults are carriers of meningococci, but do not get sick. But they can infect other people. If people live in close quarters, then the percentage of speakers rises markedly, up to 60%. Therefore, the risk of infection is higher in places where many people gather in a small area: in kindergartens, schools, barracks.

7. No vaccination against meningitis

There is no vaccine that will 100% protect against all pathogens of meningitis. But there are vaccines for some viruses and bacteria.

Meningococcal vaccine

Meningococci are bacteria that cause meningitis, as the name suggests. There are several types of these bacteria, and there are vaccinations that protect against one or more. In Russia, preventive vaccination against meningococcus is not included in the list of mandatory. Vaccinated only for epidemiological indications (if there is an outbreak somewhere). And it is also advised separately to be vaccinated for conscripts who are sent to military service. But in private centers, both children and adults can be vaccinated.

Vaccination against pneumococcus

Pneumococcus can cause meningitis. And this vaccination entered the national calendar relatively recently. This means that children will get it according to the plan, and adults should get vaccinated on their own.

Hemophilus influenza vaccine

It is not included in the national calendar and still remains on the conscience of patients. It can be done in a private center with an appropriate license, it is included in some combination vaccines (these are vaccines that will protect against several diseases at once).

Flu shot

It is done every year. Adults and children can get the vaccine for free or for money - as it is more convenient and as you like best. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of complications, including meningitis.

Vaccination against measles and mumps

Included in the national vaccination calendar, it also protects against rubella. Children are done according to plan. Adults who have not been vaccinated should be vaccinated on their own.

8. After meningitis, they always become disabled

After suffering bacterial meningitis, 20% of those who recovered become disabled. This is a lot. The most common complication of meningitis is hearing loss, up to and including complete.

Other complications:

• Memory impairment.
• Learning difficulties.
• Brain damage.
• Gait and coordination disorders.
• Convulsions.
• Renal failure
• Shock.
• Loss of limbs. Sometimes they have to be amputated due to meningococcal infection, which damages more than just the brain.
• Death.

9. In order not to get meningitis, you do not need to catch a cold

To some extent, this is true: measures to prevent ARVI (including influenza) and meningitis are very similar. In order not to pick up a bacterium or virus, you need:

• Wash hands often and thoroughly, especially during SARS epidemics.
• Do not contact sick people.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle so as not to get sick or to recover with minimal losses.

But the main measure is to make all available vaccinations that can protect against bacteria and viruses.