Pneumococcal meningitis: causes, symptoms and methods of treatment

Pneumococcal meningitis is an extremely serious infectious disease, accompanied by inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain. In the presence of such a disease, it is very important to diagnose in time and immediately begin treatment, since otherwise the development of complications can not be ruled out, even to a lethal outcome.

Pneumococcal meningitis and its causes

As already mentioned, this is an infectious disease, the causative agent of which is the gram-positive bacterium pneumococcus. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the meninges through the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, and then cause local inflammation of the tissues. The source of infection is the infected person, the household way of transmission is much less common. In addition, the development of such a disease contributes to the presence of a purulent focus. For example, pneumococcal meningitis often develops against pneumonia, otitis or sinusitis. It is worth noting that in the absence of treatment, the infection spreads rapidly through the body, hitting the joints, the heart muscle and other organs.

Meningitis pneumococcal: symptoms

In most cases, the disease begins acutely with weakness and a sudden increase in temperature to 38-40 degrees. In the future, very characteristic signs begin to appear:

• The very first and brightest symptom are extremely strong, persistent headaches.
• In addition, there is constant nausea and frequent vomiting, which, alas, does not bring any relief to the patient.
• A few days later, stiff neck stiffness develops (a man can not press his chin to his chest).
• Characteristic symptoms can also include convulsions, paresis and other disorders, which in one way or another are associated with damage to the nerve roots.
• In some cases, there is also damage to the nerves that control the muscles of the eyeball. In addition, with ophthalmological examination, one can notice an expansion of the vessels in the fundus.
• Meningitis is often accompanied by increased sensitivity to light.
• The above symptoms are not all that the infection can lead to. Meningitis in the absence of timely medical care leads to the development of cerebral edema, pulmonary heart failure or sepsis. Treatment in this case is simply necessary.

Pneumococcal meningitis: treatment methods

Certainly, with suspicions of meningitis, the patient is hospitalized. Features of treatment depend on the form and severity of meningitis, as well as the presence of complications. To begin with, the patient is always prescribed a course of antibiotics - this is the only way to eliminate the infection. Along with this, the reception of vitamins and drugs improving the performance of the immune system is shown. Depending on the symptoms, doctors prescribe either sedatives, or those that stimulate brain activity. In addition, drugs are used to normalize blood circulation in the central nervous system. With dehydration, which has arisen against a background of constant vomiting and refusal from food and drink, prescribe the administration of solutions that can fill the water deficit. With edema of the brain, on the contrary, dehydration and removal of excess fluid from the body. In any case, treatment of this form of meningitis can last several months.