Even with many advances in technology and medicine, some diseases still exist in our society and can have serious consequences for us. Even though we have made great progress in fighting them, we are still at risk of developing or becoming infected with certain illnesses, which can be very dangerous. This is the case with bacterial meningitis, for example.

What is Bacterial Meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis, with between 200,000 and 1 million cases a year worldwide. Meningitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the meninges, which are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Responsible Bacteria

This inflammation can cause a range of negative and irreversible side effects. In addition to the bacterial type, there are also forms of meningitis caused by fungi or viruses. The bacteria responsible for bacterial meningitis are:

  • Neisseria meningitidis
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Although this is a very severe illness, bacterial meningitis is preventable and its effects can be less harmful when it is treated properly. That is why it is recommended that all preventive measures be taken against the disease.

How to Prevent Bacterial Meningitis

Prevention is basically achieved through vaccines that protect against certain types of bacteria. These are:

  • Meningococcus
  • Pneumococcus
  • Haemophilus influenzae

While these vaccines are extremely effective and work against the main types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis, a person who gets vaccinated is not completely free from catching the disease, as there are other, rarer bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi that can also cause meningitis. Still, getting vaccinated is extremely important as it drastically reduces your chances of getting the disease.

Habits

In addition to vaccines, some habits such as washing your hands before eating and not sharing cutlery, glasses, or lipstick with people who have or have had meningitis bacteria are also effective ways to prevent infection. Main Causes of Bacterial Meningitis (H3) The main causes of the disease are indeed the contraction of the bacteria mentioned above. It’s important to remember that bacterial meningitis is a disease that is spread mainly through droplets of saliva that enter through the mouth or nose. This means that contact with people who have the bacteria puts you at risk. There are also cases of so-called asymptomatic carriers—people who have meningitis bacteria but do not show symptoms. Although these people don’t experience problems from the disease, they can transmit the bacteria to others, so it’s always important to get tested if you or your child has been in contact with someone who has any of these bacteria.

Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually appear very quickly, often on the first day the bacteria enter the body, and can get worse over time. The main symptoms are:

  • High Fever
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Lack of Appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Severe Headaches
  • Stiff Neck
  • Fainting and Seizures
  • Photophobia (High sensitivity to light)
  • Red and Purple Spots on the Skin

When these symptoms present together, they indicate meningitis and it’s extremely important for the person to see a doctor as soon as they start feeling them, so that treatment can be started as quickly as possible and long-term effects are minimized.

Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis

The disease is diagnosed mainly through a technique called lumbar puncture, which is basically the collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal cord using a needle. With this technique, it’s possible to determine if meningitis is present and also to identify what caused the disease. In addition, the patient also undergoes various blood tests and a CT scan for a more accurate diagnosis.

Treatment for Bacterial Meningitis

Treatment involves antibiotics and must be started as soon as possible so that the inflammation does not get worse and cause more serious consequences. The diagnosis identifies which type of bacteria caused the meningitis, which helps doctors prescribe the most effective and appropriate antibiotic in each case. Medications are also prescribed to relieve symptoms like fever, vomiting, and headaches, mainly. There have been significant advances in meningitis treatments over recent decades, especially considering that at the start of the last century, it was a disease with a mortality rate very close to 100%, and very few people made a full recovery without any lasting effects.

Consequences of Bacterial Meningitis

The biggest danger of meningitis is, without a doubt, the sequelae it can leave behind. To avoid more serious outcomes, the disease must be treated as quickly as possible and all medical advice should be followed carefully, so that none of the aftereffects interfere with your life. The main consequences of bacterial meningitis include:

  • Intracerebral Edema
  • Cerebral Paralysis
  • Seizures
  • Decreased Intellectual Capacity
  • Deafness
  • Motor Paralysis

Because this is a disease that directly affects the brain, it can cause permanent damage that drastically affects the patient’s life. That’s why it’s so important to visit a doctor as soon as possible and take all possible precautions against the bacteria that cause meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a disease that can have severe consequences, but it can also almost always be prevented if the right care is taken. That’s why prevention is so important. But if someone does contract bacterial meningitis for any reason, it is extremely important that they see a doctor as soon as possible so that the right treatment can be given and to avoid any serious aftereffects. See also: Vaccines During Pregnancy – Which Are the Most Important to Get Photo: gentle07