Signs of meningitis in children: diagnosis and what the consequences may be. Purulent meningitis in adults and children: treatment and consequences for the body

The degree of influence of the disease on the future life of the child depends on the scale of the damage caused by the infection. During recovery, the baby’s age and condition play an important role. immune system, timely diagnosis of the problem and the correctness of the prescribed therapy.

1 in 5 children who have recovered from the disease may experience speech disorders and difficulties communicating with peers. The disease affects short-term and long-term memory, and some children may experience a significant decrease in intelligence quotient (IQ). Survivors after intensive bacterial meningitis 2.4% experience hearing loss and require a hearing aid.

Disorientation in space, loss of body balance, frequent headaches, problems with coordination, fatigue, paralysis or spasms different parts bodies are no less frequent consequences diseases. IN medical practice There are also cases of vision loss, which nevertheless can be considered relatively rare.

Degree of complications

Most destructive effect bacterial meningitis caused by meningococcal infection. Weakened immunity and the early age of the baby are serious risks that can cause the development of large-scale lesions and even fatal outcome. Pneumococcal invasion may be considered less serious, but even with it, the likelihood of undesirable consequences remains quite high.

Neonatal meningitis can occur during the first month of a baby's life, but cases are not uncommon full recovery. More often normal recovery occurs in patients with viral form a disease in which most signs of brain damage are temporary and become invisible after a relatively short period of time.

It should be noted that despite the availability of various antimicrobial drugs, meningitis remains a cause of death large quantity children. Modern diagnostic methods allow a quick conclusion to be made, however, treatment of the most serious forms of the disease requires hospitalization of the child. If the baby is not too sick, a treatment option is considered. With the wrong approach to stopping the disease, complications such as seizures, decreased blood pressure, state of shock. The heart, kidneys and adrenal glands can also be affected, although this is quite rare.

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Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord or brain caused by bacterial or viral infection. The prognosis depends on many factors: the cause of the disease, the severity of the course, the degree of involvement in pathological process brain substances, timeliness and adequacy of treatment.

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Causes and symptoms of meningitis

You can get meningitis at any age. However, newborns and children under five years of age are most susceptible to the disease. This is due to a weak children's immune system, congenital pathologies, and imperfect blood-brain barrier mechanisms. Also reasons childhood meningitis may become infectious diseases, injuries or reactions to antiviral vaccination.

Meningitis can occur as an independent disease or as a complication of another infectious process. Otitis, pneumonia, furunculosis, diseases of the nasopharynx, various inflammations eyes, as well as viral diseases such as chickenpox, measles, rubella and enterovirus infections.

According to statistics, outbreaks of meningitis are observed in the winter and spring seasons due to fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and insufficient ventilation of premises. Approximately 10 cases of the disease per 100 thousand people are recorded annually.

The most common symptoms of the disease are headache, fever, confusion, photophobia, and stiff neck muscles. In children, meningitis is often accompanied only by specific symptoms such as drowsiness and irritability.

Consequences of the disease

If qualified medical care is not provided in a timely manner, a patient with meningitis may develop serious complications or even death. If not a disease, then death occurs already on days 4-6; with delayed treatment, about 50% of patients die, and with rapid treatment, 10% of patients die. Death usually occurs from consequences of meningitis such as paralysis respiratory organs, development of coma, toxic shock and hemorrhages in the brain or internal organs.

Duration of illness at normal treatment averages from two to six weeks. The fulminant form of meningitis can develop within a few hours, which is why prompt diagnosis is so important correct diagnosis. Meningitis very often causes serious complications, such as deafness, blindness, mental retardation, epilepsy and sepsis. If meningitis is successful, then repeated cases diseases are observed extremely rarely, since the body develops immunity to the infectious agent.

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Reactive meningitis is an infectious disease that affects parts of the brain and spinal cord. People of different ages are susceptible to this infection. But statistics show that newborns born prematurely, people with damage to the nervous system and head injuries are much more likely to suffer from this disease.

Infectious agents

The peculiarity of meningitis is the unexpectedness and spontaneity of its onset. This is one of the most dangerous forms of infection, transient and severe. People with such a diagnosis should be provided with immediate medical care, since a huge number of purulent foci develop very quickly in the brain, which can lead to a coma, or even death.

The causative agent of the disease is meningococcal bacillus, transmitted from a sick person by airborne droplets. Sources of infection may be located in places where there are large crowds of people: shopping centers, public transport. The disease may also be caused by enterovirus infection, measles, rubella and mumps.

Reactive meningitis can lead to an epidemic among younger age, visiting children's educational institutions. Also at risk are people suffering from sinusitis, lung abscess and boils.

If treatment is started within the first twenty-four hours of the disease, reactive meningitis can be mitigated somewhat. It is important to make timely diagnosis based on analysis of lumbar puncture.

Symptoms of reactive meningitis

In the initial stage of the disease it is very often confused with respiratory viral diseases, but the fact is that meningitis is very fleeting. A sick person exhibits the following signs of the disease:
- body, reaching forty degrees;
- febrile state long-term (for several days);
- periodic bouts of vomiting;
- non-elastic muscles;
- pain that is sharp in nature;
- disruption of facial and eye muscles, hearing instability;
- partial paralysis may occur.

Treatment of meningitis must be carried out immediately in a specialized institution. A sick person is prescribed medicines and carry out supportive and antibacterial therapy.

Vaccinations can be a real challenge for your baby because they can cause unexpected symptoms. The severity of the transfer of vaccinations is due to the following types reactions: local, allergic and complicated.

Local reactions

Local reactions occur at the site where the vaccine is administered. The nature of the symptoms depends on the specific type of vaccine. For example, a vaccine against diphtheria, whooping cough or tetanus manifests itself as reddening of the skin and slight compaction where the infiltrate is introduced. Drip administration vaccine is expressed by signs of conjunctivitis, cough and runny nose. Maybe the child may experience headache and weakness. Such symptoms last for several days.

It turns out that the severity of the vaccination can only be due to the usual local reaction, which is normal condition. In this case, parents should not worry.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions are a special manifestation of the body's response to a vaccine. They can occur both during the first and during reintroduction vaccines. The allergy is expressed by severe swelling and redness of the skin. Moreover, the child has a high temperature that rises sharply, a rash, low blood pressure and swelling of the mucous membranes. Such symptoms may not appear immediately, but a couple of days after vaccination. Why do people develop allergies to vaccines?

The reason is strong sensitivity child's body to the components of the vaccine, especially to the protein components. Allergies often develop in those children whose bodies have already developed a tendency towards allergies. Such children must be checked before vaccination. If the vaccine has already been administered, it is important to monitor the child’s condition at first.

Complicated reactions

Complications after vaccination are severe conditions, which may appear anaphylactic shock. This may also include allergic reaction, however, the consequences can be even more severe. The causes of complications are violation of the storage conditions of the vaccine, violation of the technique of its administration, violation of instructions for its administration, infection and individual characteristics child's body.

These situations can cause severe reaction in a child. This includes intoxication, high body temperature, convulsions, encephalopathy, post-vaccination serous meningitis, defeat various edemas, rash, increased bleeding, fainting, and so on. This is a lot of stress for a child’s body, which can lead to serious consequences.

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Purulent meningitis– purulent inflammation of the membranes of the brain caused by streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, intestinal microbes, etc. The disease purulent meningitis occurs in people of all ages.

Risk factors include: smoking, insolation, frequent stress, hypothermia, overuse alcohol, pharyngitis, sore throat, acute respiratory infections.

Reasons

Most often, the causative agents of purulent meningitis are representatives of bacterial microflora - meningococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae (influenza bacillus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, various types of staphylococci and streptococci, gonococci, salmonella, coli, pathogens typhoid fever and listeriosis.

But sometimes purulent meningitis also develops with a fungal infection (more often it is still non-purulent, serous in nature) - cryptococcosis, coccidioidosis and candidiasis. The cause of purulent meningitis can also be protozoa, for example, some types of amoebas.

1. Primary purulent meningitis caused by meningococcus, is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets: infection with meningitis occurs by sneezing, coughing, kissing, through objects contaminated with saliva, and so on.
2. Secondary meningitis, which is a complication of some other inflammatory processes (rhinogenic, otogenic, odontogenic, etc.), as a rule, is not contagious.

Secondary purulent meningitis

Secondary purulent meningitis occurs when there is a purulent focus in the body. They can develop either as a result of direct transfer of infection from purulent foci to the membranes of the brain, for example, with or, thrombosis of the sinuses of the dura mater, brain abscess, or by metastasis from purulent foci located at a distance, for example, with abscesses or bronchiectasis of the lungs, ulcerative endocarditis, etc. Purulent meningitis sometimes complicates penetrating wounds of the skull.

The causative agents of secondary purulent meningitis can be various bacteria: - pneumococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae Afanasyev-Pfeiffer, salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listerella.

Symptoms of purulent meningitis

At the very beginning, meningitis in adults manifests itself with symptoms similar to many other diseases. If you notice them, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to prevent dangerous complications. Later, purulent meningitis itself develops, the symptoms of which are quite specific.

The incubation period is 1-5 days. The disease develops acutely: severe chills, body temperature increases to 39-40°C.

Emerges and grows rapidly intense pain in the head with nausea or repeated vomiting. Delirium, psychomotor agitation, convulsions, and disturbances of consciousness are possible. In the first hours, membrane symptoms are detected (stiffness of the neck muscles, Kernig's sign), increasing by the 2-3rd day of the disease.

1. Kerning's symptom - the patient is unable to fully straighten his legs.
2. Brudzinski's sign is uncontrolled flexion of the hip and knee joints by the patient.

Deep reflexes are animated, abdominal reflexes are reduced. At severe course possible defeats cranial nerves, especially III and VI pairs (ptosis, anisocoria, strabismus, diplopia), less often - VII and VIII pair. On the 2-5th day, illnesses often appear herpetic rashes on the lips.

Sometimes there are also various skin rashes(more often in children) of a hemorrhagic nature, which indicates meningococcemia. The cerebrospinal fluid is cloudy, purulent, and flows out under high pressure.

Neutrophilic pleocytosis is detected (up to several tens of thousands of cells in 1 μl), increased content protein (up to 1-16 g/l), reduced levels of sugar and chlorides. Meningococcus is detected in smears of cerebrospinal fluid sediment after Gram staining. It can also be isolated from mucus taken from the throat. In the blood - leukocytosis (up to 30-109/l) and.

In children preschool age the disease often takes the form of meningoencephalitis, in which the leading symptoms are motor activity, confusion, signs of damage to the cranial nerves - strabismus, paralysis of the face and larynx. With such a course, the stage of paralysis occurs quite quickly, and when the cerebrospinal fluid ducts are blocked by pus, hydrocephalus develops.

In the case of the development of meningococcal septicemia, syndromes of increased vascular permeability and intravascular coagulation are pronounced. At the same time, foci of irregularly shaped hemorrhages protruding above the surface of the skin and necrosis - areas of necrosis - form on the skin.

Complications

Complications and consequences of meningitis in adults are very dangerous for human health and life; they can be avoided if treatment for the disease is started in a timely manner.

The consequences of purulent meningitis include:

• cerebrasthenic syndrome;
• increased fatigue;
• instability of attention;
• inability to exert yourself for long periods of time;
• irritability;
• moodiness;
• tearfulness;
• fussiness;
• excessive physical activity;
• general lethargy;
• slow thinking.

An early and serious complication that can accompany purulent meningitis is cerebral edema, leading to compression of the brain stem with vital centers located in it. Acute cerebral edema, as a rule, occurs on the 2-3rd day of the disease, in the fulminant form - in the first hours.

Forecast

According to some data, in 14% of cases, purulent meningitis leads to death. However, with timely initiation and correct treatment, purulent meningitis has a generally favorable prognosis.

After meningitis, asthenia, liquor-dynamic disturbances, sensorineural hearing loss, and some mildly expressed focal symptoms. Dire consequences purulent meningitis (hydrocephalus, amaurosis, deafness, dementia) are rare in our time.

Treatment of purulent meningitis

Purulent meningitis with proper and timely treatment disappears completely after two weeks. At the first signs of illness, the patient must be hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit.

First of all, the doctor makes an appointment antibacterial drugs, which have an effect directly on the brain. If after three days of taking medications of this group there is no improvement, a repeat puncture is prescribed. cerebrospinal fluid. And then the drugs are changed.

To relieve symptoms of intoxication during purulent meningitis in adults, intravenous infusions of solutions are prescribed. Diuretics are also used to remove toxins from the blood. Sedatives prescribed in cases of severe and frequent seizures. And for recovery cerebral circulation special medications are prescribed.

Purulent meningitis - inflammatory disease bacterial in nature, affecting the membranes (mainly the soft membrane) of the brain and spinal cord, may be infectious primary or secondary in nature.

It is registered in all countries of the world, the frequency of occurrence ranges from 3 ( developed countries) up to 200 cases per 10,000 population. Epidemic outbreaks of purulent meningitis occur periodically, caused by the emergence of new strains of the pathogen or the transfer of old ones to other regions of the planet. Children under five years of age are more susceptible to the disease; among adults, the pathology is more often observed in men.

Types of purulent meningitis

Based on etiology, there are two large groups forms of purulent meningitis – primary and secondary. This division is quite arbitrary, since it is not always possible to reliably determine the source of the infection that caused the disease. Each of these groups is characterized by a certain set of characteristics:

• Primary forms of purulent meningitis occur when a person becomes infected with pathogenic bacteria. certain type– from the group of meningococcus, pneumococcus, hemophilus influenzae.
• Secondary forms of purulent meningitis develop in the presence of a lesion bacterial infection in other organs or as a result of the introduction of bacteria to the meninges from external environment(after medical procedures, surgical operations, with traumatic brain injuries).

The course of purulent meningitis varies in speed and severity of symptoms. Such differences are due to the nature of the pathogen, the reactivity of the body, the state of the immune system and a number of other factors. Based on these characteristics, the following are distinguished: clinical types diseases:

1. Lightning type. The most severe form - only a few hours pass from the development of symptoms to the death of the patient from cerebral edema. Most often occurs with purulent meningitis in children and weakened adults.
2. Acute type. The most common variant of purulent inflammation of the meninges. It is characterized by a rapid increase in symptoms and a severe general condition.
3. Abortive type. A rare form of purulent meningitis in adults, in which the symptoms of the underlying disease are quite mild. Manifestations of general intoxication come to the fore.
4. Recurrent type. The most rare form purulent bacterial meningitis, in which periods of improvement alternate with exacerbations over many weeks or months.

The cause of the disease is penetration pathogenic bacteria into the membranes of the brain and spinal cord and their further reproduction with the development of purulent inflammation. The main route of entry of the pathogen into the membranes (both in primary and secondary purulent meningitis) is hematogenous, and occasionally (only in secondary forms) – injection and contact. The disease is most often caused by infection with the following bacteria:

1. Haemophilus influenzae ( Haemophilus influenzae). According to medical statistics, the pathogen is detected in almost 50% of cases of purulent meningitis and affects people at any age.
2. Meningococcus (Neisseria meningitidis). It causes about 20% of cases of the disease, and it is its strains that most often lead to epidemic outbreaks of meningitis.
3. Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Causes purulent meningitis in 10–13% of all cases of the disease. The course of the pathology is severe, mortality reaches 50%.

In some cases, infection with staphylococci, E. coli, salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some other bacteria leads to the development of the disease. A significant variety of pathogens of purulent meningitis complicates treatment, since in many respects the effectiveness therapeutic measures depends on correctly selected antibacterial drugs.

The disease always begins acutely, the duration incubation period ranges from several hours to 5–7 days. The first symptoms of purulent meningitis are high fever (up to 40–41 °C), severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting, which is profuse and repeated. Many patients experience seizures - the frequency of their development in pathology increases with decreasing age of the patient. Often, hallucinations, delusions, and psychomotor agitation develop against the background of fever. From the first day of the disease, tension (rigidity) of the neck muscles is detected, and painful sensations are detected when moving the neck.

To prevent secondary purulent meningitis, it is necessary to promptly identify and eliminate potentially dangerous foci of infection in the body - otitis media, sinusitis, chronic abscesses, dental pathologies.

For inflammation meninges caused by meningococcal infection, a hemorrhagic rash develops - spots of various locations and sizes that do not fade when pressed. Also, when infected with this pathogen, skin necrosis may develop, especially in areas exposed to pressure. On days 2–4 of the course of the pathology, signs of damage to the cranial nerves are often recorded - strabismus, ptosis of the eyelids, anisocoria, deterioration of vision and hearing. The occurrence of nystagmus, hyperkinesis, and muscle tone disorders indicates the involvement of the nervous tissue of the brain in the pathological process - the development of meningoencephalitis.

Diagnostics

To diagnose purulent meningitis, instrumental and laboratory methods research. When examined by a neurologist, the stiffness of the neck muscles and the presence of specific meningeal symptoms are determined:

1. Kernig's sign.
2. Brudzinski's symptoms.
3. Guillain's sign.

These manifestations, in combination with other symptoms of purulent meningitis, clearly indicate the presence of the disease. In addition, to confirm the diagnosis and determine the nature of the pathogen, a number of laboratory tests are carried out:

1. Collection of cerebrospinal fluid through spinal puncture. The liquor is cloudy and flows out under pressure. Subsequently, using microscopy, neutrophils are determined in it, and when inoculated on nutrient media, the pathogen is isolated.
2. General and biochemical analysis blood. Pathogen bacteria can be isolated in it (bacteremia), and strong leukocytosis is determined due to an increase in the level of neutrophils and an increase in ESR.
3. Other studies to determine the condition of other organs and systems, prevent complications and identify the primary source of infection (if secondary purulent meningitis is suspected).

Differential diagnosis is made with viral, tuberculous and fungal forms of meningitis, as well as subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Treatment

Treatment of purulent meningitis includes taking antibacterial, diuretic and anti-inflammatory drugs and a number of other drugs if indicated. In severe cases of the disease, treatment begins immediately with antibiotics. wide range actions, in other cases antibacterial agents prescribed after receiving the results of a bacteriological study of the cerebrospinal fluid. Diuretics are necessary to reduce cerebral edema and associated neurological impairment and complications.

The occurrence of nystagmus, hyperkinesis, and muscle tone disorders indicates the involvement of the nervous tissue of the brain in the pathological process - the development of meningoencephalitis.

Most often prescribed as anti-inflammatory drugs steroid drugs, the dosage and need for administration of which depends on the severity of the manifestations and the severity of the patient’s condition. Symptomatic treatment purulent meningitis may include anticonvulsants(for convulsions), tranquilizers (for psychomotor agitation and sleep disorders). During the recovery period it is recommended nootropic drugs, mineral and vitamin complexes, special diet.

Complications

The earliest and most serious complication of purulent meningitis is acute edema brain, leading to compression of vital nerve centers in the trunk and death due to respiratory and circulatory disorders. In the case of a fulminant course of the disease, the development of edema can occur within a few hours after the onset of the disease, in the case of acute forms - on 2–3 days.

Other complications of pathology during the peak period may include septic shock, uveitis, panophthalmitis, adrenal insufficiency. TO late consequences purulent meningitis include neurological disorders, weakened vision, hearing, memory, endocarditis and pyelonephritis.

Features of purulent meningitis in children

Purulent meningitis in children infancy often develops gradually, the causative agents being staphylococci, streptococci, and E. coli. The first manifestation of the disease in infants is bulging and tension of the large fontanel.

When infected with meningococcus, the symptoms of meningococcemia in children under 3–4 years of age are much more severe than in older patients. Hemorrhagic rash and necrosis can occupy significant areas of the skin; septic shock, damage to the heart, kidneys and others very often develops internal organs. IN in rare cases meningitis in early age leads to delayed psychomotor development and dementia.

Forecast

According to statistics, mortality in purulent inflammation the membranes of the brain reaches 12–15%. The prognosis depends on the timeliness of hospitalization of the patient and the correct selection of drugs for antibacterial therapy. If you consult a doctor early and start proper treatment the prognosis is conditionally favorable.

The consequences of purulent meningitis can be hearing loss, some neurological disorders, and memory loss. After an illness at an early age, slow mental development may occur.

Preventive measures

Most effective measure Prevention of the disease is vaccination - immunological preparations used to prevent infection with the most common pathogens (meningo- and pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae).

To prevent secondary purulent meningitis, it is necessary to promptly identify and eliminate potentially dangerous foci of infection in the body - otitis media, sinusitis, chronic abscesses, dental pathologies.

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Meningitis is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the soft membranes of the brain or spinal cord. Until the mid-20th century, meningitis in most cases resulted in death or severe disability of the patient.

Meningitis can develop as an independent disease or as a complication of another infection.

Modern medicine has the means to treat this pathology, therefore, when timely diagnosis and started on time drug therapy the risk of death and complications is minimized. If the patient does not receive the appropriate medications on the first day from the onset of the disease, the course of the disease is significantly aggravated and unpleasant consequences of meningitis may remain.

General information

According to the mechanism of occurrence, meningitis is divided into primary and secondary. Primary meningitis is spoken of when the disease begins directly with damage to the meninges. Secondary is a consequence of some other pathology, when the infection in various ways falls into nervous system from the primary focus. Worth it separately tuberculous meningitis- his clinical symptoms grow slowly over several weeks or months.

Most dangerous form disease is reactive meningitis due to high speed development and transience of the clinical picture.

In a short period of time, purulent foci form on the surface of the brain, which lead to death. A favorable outcome is possible only if a correct diagnosis is made in the first hours after the onset of the disease and appropriate treatment is started.

Purulent meningitis in adults and children is expressed in the development of cerebral and meningeal syndromes which are accompanied by symptoms infectious lesion And inflammatory reaction cerebrospinal fluid. The first symptoms of purulent meningitis are similar to those of the flu, which after a few hours are supplemented by a severe headache, severe vomiting, impaired consciousness, tension in the neck muscles and pain when trying to pull the legs towards the stomach.

In conditions of timely and adequate treatment, the prognosis is good - in most cases, the disease is completely cured, leaving no negative consequences. Serious consequences of meningitis develop if medical care was not provided on time or the patient has a history of severe concomitant diseases. Complications are more common in children than in adults.

Undesirable consequences after meningitis

On average, consequences after meningitis are observed in 10-30% of patients who have suffered this disease, most of are children of preschool age and adults over 60. Neurological complications after meningitis are divided into early and late.

The early ones include:

• Increased intracranial pressure.
• Epileptic seizures.
• Thrombosis of the venous or arterial network.
• Subdural effusion is an accumulation of fluid under the dura mater.
• Hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
• Damage to cranial nerves.

Main symptoms and consequences of meningitis

Late complications include:

• Residual effects of focal neurological deficit.
• Epilepsy.
• Dementia.
• Sensorineural hearing loss.

In addition to neurological symptoms, meningitis can be complicated by other systemic lesions, such as: sepsis, endocarditis, pneumonia, PE (thromboembolism pulmonary artery), purulent arthritis.

Hydrocephalus

Negative consequence in the form of hydrocephalus is more common in children than in adults. In newborns who have had meningitis, hydrocephalus occurs in approximately 30% of cases. In most cases, the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid is associated with impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, less often - with blockage of the ducts and the impossibility of normal outflow.

Epileptic seizures

Convulsive seizures are observed in 30-50% of patients who have had meningitis, with the majority being children. In most cases, the first seizures develop already on the 3-4th day from the onset of the disease, after which the risk of developing primary seizures decreases. Often, epileptic seizures are the first symptom of inflammation of the meninges, sometimes turning into status epilepticus (a condition in which seizures follow one another). When examining the brain with using EEG(electroencephalogram), one can note the formation of epileptic foci or generalized epileptic activity.

Meningitis can become a background for the development of epilepsy

The main reason The occurrence of epilepsy after meningitis is considered to be ischemia of brain tissue due to insufficient blood supply.

Less often seizures associated with high temperature, reduced level sodium, high intracranial pressure or the toxic effects of inflammatory products or toxins of pathogenic bacteria.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing loss after meningitis is quite rare (5-10%). The first signs of hearing loss are observed already in the first days of the disease, and recovery takes about 2 weeks. In some cases full recovery hearing does not occur - this complication is associated with serious irreversible damage to the cochlear apparatus of the ear and the vestibulocochlear nerve. Pneumococcal meningitis most often complicated by hearing loss, especially with frequent epileptic seizures.

Meningitis – serious illness requiring urgent hospitalization to prevent serious consequences. Do not neglect suspicious symptoms - delay can cost your life.

Purulent meningitis is a life-threatening inflammation of the mucous membranes of the brain and spinal cord, accompanied by suppuration and swelling.

The disease occurs spontaneously, develops rapidly and is characterized by specific symptoms not characteristic of other species. Most often diagnosed in children, young people, elderly people suffering from chronic infectious diseases with persistently decreased immunity.

Causes of purulent meningitis

Meningitis is always caused by an infection that can enter the brain in various ways, first of all, with the blood flow from the primary site of localization. Most often, the source of infection in the human body is the organs of the respiratory system (throat, lungs), digestive system (stomach, various parts of the intestines), and affected teeth.
Purulent meningitis is caused by streptococci, meningococcus, E. coli, staphylococci and other microorganisms with which a person often comes into contact in everyday life.

Inflammation of the meninges can occur against the background of acute respiratory infections, etc. Meningitis usually develops in the absence of proper treatment for these diseases in people with weakened immune systems.
People at risk of developing the disease are those most often subject to depression, stress, drug use or alcohol addiction. Outbreaks of meningitis occur during the cold season, when the human body is susceptible to various infections.

Symptoms of purulent meningitis

When localizing inflammatory process The following symptoms occur in the brain:

• headache, which intensifies with any stress on the body, rapid movement, or turning the head;
• general weakness, lack of appetite;
• pain in the eyes, blurred vision;
• vomit. This and the previous symptoms indicate the presence of increased intracranial pressure;
• high body temperature;
• pain in muscles, joints, decreased muscle tone;
• a skin rash that first affects the extremities and then spreads rapidly. A rash due to meningitis is very dangerous; it can cause tissue death, blood poisoning, and the development of gangrene;
• loss of consciousness, convulsions, hallucinations, coma.

The signs of purulent meningitis listed at the end of the list develop on days 2-3 of the disease and can cause the death of the patient.

Purulent meningitis in children

Children under the age of one year who have had an infection or were born earlier are susceptible to developing the disease. deadline, with low weight, injured during childbirth. Purulent meningitis in a child is accompanied by characteristic symptoms of this disease symptoms, which may include shortness of breath, irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing, protrusion of the fontanel. The baby dies within a few hours from the moment the first signs of inflammation of the meninges appear if he is not provided with the correct medical care.

Antibiotics from the penicillin group are used to treat purulent meningitis in children. Similar drugs are not recommended for treating a child, however in this case the risk of developing the disease exceeds the risk of developing unpleasant consequences from taking the drug. The course of treatment lasts from 5 to 10 days. After recovery, the little patient is under the supervision of a specialist for several months.

Treatment of purulent meningitis

Meningitis can be diagnosed through laboratory testing of the patient's blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. If there is an infection in the blood, the level of leukocytes increases, taking cerebrospinal fluid makes it possible to identify the main causative agent of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

Therapy for purulent meningitis is based on intravenous administration the patient is given antibiotics, less often - corticoids (to reduce the inflammatory process), diuretics and agents whose action is aimed at reducing detoxification of the body (salt solution).

For meningitis, penicillin antibiotics, cephalosporins, and macrolides are effective. The latter are usually prescribed for patients intolerant to penicillin.

Inflammation of the meninges can lead to the development of complications from many body systems, and therefore requires monitoring by various specialists, including an ophthalmologist, pulmonologist, therapist, and cardiologist.

Consequences of purulent meningitis

Complications and consequences of meningitis are very dangerous for human health and life; they can be avoided if treatment for the disease is started in a timely manner. Originating in the early childhood Inflammation of the membranes of the brain can cause hydrocephalus, a delay in the development of the child. To the most dangerous consequences Meningitis includes fatal pathologies: sepsis, gangrene, toxic coma.

The disease can also cause impairment various systems body, complete or partial blindness, hearing loss, lead to varying degrees of disability.