2023-04-24 17:00:25
Today, April 24, World Meningitis and Toxicology Day is celebrated. This is one of the diseases with the greatest negative impact on a baby. If you want to know what it consists of and everything that entails, then we are going to offer you some information so that you understand it better.
What is meningitis?
It can be defined as inflammation of the meninges, membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Some types can be very dangerous and even life threatening. To prevent it, routine vaccinations help a lot. The treatment is very successful starts quickly. So it is important to know its symptoms and the causes to be able to detect it in time.
What are the causes?
Meningitis is usually caused by a virus (viral meningitis) but can sometimes be caused by bacteria (bacterial meningitis). Rarely, it may be due to other infections, some medications, or diseases (such as cancer). Both types spread to other people like most other infections: an infected person touches, kisses, or sneezes on another person who was not infected.
Signs and symptoms of meningitis
The symptoms presented by meningitis will vary depending on the age of the person and its cause. Often, though, both types of meningitis cause symptoms. The former may start suddenly or several days after the person had a cold, diarrhea, vomiting, or other signs of infection. Among the most frequent symptoms are:
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Light sensitivity.
- Neck stiffness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Irritability.
- Lack of energy and sleepiness.
- Lack of appetite.
How it develops in babies
In the smallest, it can present different symptoms. For example, they may eat poorly, be restless, be very drowsy and drowsy, and be very difficult to wake up.
treatment of meningitis
If a baby has bacterial meningitis, doctors will start giving intravenous antibiotics as soon as possible. Steroids may also be given to relieve inflammation in the brain and intravenous fluids to replace those lost due to fever, sweating, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
Antibiotics are not needed when it is caused by a virus. On rare occasions, doctors give antiviral drugs for specific viruses. Most children with viral meningitis feel better in 7 to 10 days and can usually recover well at home if they are not too sick.
Problems it can cause
Problems associated with the bacteria can be severe or include neurological problems such as hearing loss, vision problems, seizures, and learning disorders.
The kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands may also be affected, depending on the cause of the infection. Some children often develop long-term neurological problems; although most people who are promptly diagnosed with meningitis and treated make a full recovery.
#meningitis #babies