The infection tends to be more severe in young children, but can affect all age groups; learn more
Due to high mortality rates and the occurrence of sequelae, meningitis it is considered a disease devastating by the World Health Organization (WHO). It continues to affect several places on the planet, with particular attention to the “meningitis belt” in Africa. In Brazil the disease continues to circulate and between 2007 and 2020 approximately 400,000 suspected cases were reported to the Ministry of Health.
With the aim of promoting awareness and prevention strategies against the disease, the WHO established April 24 as World Meningitis Day.
What is meningitis?
It is a condition of inflammation in the meninges, membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, according to pediatric infectious disease specialist Flávia Jaqueline Almeida, from the Infantil Sabará Hospital in São Paulo, it is a type of infection of the central nervous system.
What are the causes of meningitis?
Meningitis can be caused by various microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. According to Flávia, however, the most common form of the disease is the viral one, while the most serious is the bacterial one.
According to the Ministry of Health, meningitis can also be caused by inflammatory processes derived from tumors that affect the meninges region, lupususe of certain medications, head trauma, and brain surgery.
How is it transmitted?
Meningitis is usually spread from person to person through contact with contaminated respiratory secretions, such as droplets from the nose and throat.
According to the Ministry of Health, there is also the possibility of transmission through ingestion of contaminated water, food or feces.
What are the symptoms?
The most characteristic symptoms of meningitis are fever, headache and stiff neck (consequence of inflammation of the meninges). According to the Ministry of Health, the patient may still experience malaise, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and mental confusion and, in more severe cases, convulsions, delirium and tremors.
Also, in meningococcal septicemia, a condition caused by bacteria Neisseria meningitidisAccording to medical records, the disease can also cause cold feet and hands, pain in the muscles, joints, chest or abdomen, as well as red spots on the body.
It is also important to highlight that, in newborns and newbornsother symptoms often appear, such as irritation, lethargy, bulging fontanelles, and abnormal reflexes.
What are the risks of the disease?
The frame is very serious, especially if caused by bacteria. In this circumstance, according to the WHO, one in six people ends up dying, while one in five suffers after-effects, such as deafness and cognitive disorders.
The body warns that there are cases of bacterial meningitis that can lead to death within 24 hours.
What are the risk groups?
People of any age can contract meningitis, but, according to the specialist, children under 2 years old they are the most affected and tend to develop the most severe cases of the disease.
According to the WHO, there are also types of meningitis that are particularly dangerous for different age groups, such as the elderly, adolescents and young adults.
Is there a treatment?
Treatment varies depending on the microorganism causing the disease. In the case of meningitis caused by bacteria, treatment consists of the use of antibiotics – which should be done as soon as possible, according to the pediatric infectious disease specialist.
“In viral cases, which tend to be less severe, there are no specific drugs to fight the disease, so we treat the symptoms,” he explains.
In any case, when meningitis is suspected, the patient should contact the doctor as soon as possible.
How to prevent?
The main way to prevent meningitis is vaccination. The Ministry of Health provides it seven vaccines against the disease through the Unified Health System (SUS), some for specific groups. Watch:
- BCG: Protects against severe tuberculosis, including tuberculous meningitis. It must be taken in one dose at birth.
- Pentavalent: Protects from Haemophilus influenzae B (which can cause meningitis), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and hepatitis B. The vaccination program includes three doses, which must be taken at 2, 4 and 6 months.
- 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate: Protects against 10 serotypes of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes several diseases, including meningitis. The vaccination program includes two doses, which must be taken at 2 and 4 months, as well as a booster dose at 12 months.
- 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide: Protects against diseases caused by 23 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including meningitis. The vaccination schedule is a single dose and is available free of charge to the indigenous population over 5 years of age, without proof of 10-valent pneumococcal (conjugated) vaccine, and to the institutionalized population over 60 years of age, in which case you should expect a booster dose five years after the initial dose.
- 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate: Protects against diseases caused by 13 serotypes of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, including meningitis. It is available at Reference Centers for Special Immunobiologicals (CRIE) for children up to 5 years of age and for immunosuppressed adults.
- Meningococcal conjugate C: It protects against meningococcal disease caused by the meningococcal bacterium C and is applied in two doses, at 3 and 5 months, as well as a booster dose at 12 months.
- Meningococcal ACWY Conjugate: Protects against meningococcal disease caused by meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W, and Y, with one dose for adolescents aged 11 to 12 years, depending on vaccination status.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
