Meningitis is a spinal cord infection and envelopes surrounding the brain, rare, but serious. It is therefore important to know the signs to react quickly.
- Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. That is to say the protective envelopes of the brain and the spinal cord.
- The disease is manifested by a meningeal syndrome: headache, photophobia, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, fever.
- You have to be particularly reactive in the event of a purpura.
Meningitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and even fungi. There are 500,000 cases per year in the world. The most dangerous infection is bacterial meningitis, especially those in meningococci. Its mortality rate is 10 %. In addition, one in five people who keep the consequences after the disease.
Meningococcal meningitis: What are the symptoms?
Meningitis can touch everyone. However, some profiles are more at risk such as infants, adolescents and young adults. Symptoms – gathered under the term meningeal syndrome – generally appear 3 to 4 days after contamination. Patients present:
- a stiff neck;
- headaches: the latter are particularly violent;
- a photophobia: sensitivity to light;
- vomiting;
- a strong fever;
- drowsiness, even disorders of consciousness;
- Great fatigue and important aches.
“In the newborn and infants, these symptoms are less marked: brutal fever access is sometimes accompanied by convulsions or vomiting”, specifies theInstitut Pasteur on its website. They may also have:
- a difficulty in eating;
- a reduced activity;
- a bombing of the fontanel (the membraneous space separating the different bones from the skull);
- and be inconsolable.
Meningitis: you have to react quickly in case of purpura
Also be careful if Purpura appears during the infection. These bright red or blue star stains under the skin that gradually spread, are a sign of gravity of meningitis and an increased risk of sepsis. This is why it is recommended to observe the skin of the patients who have a meningeal syndrome and a high fever.
“If you notice hemorrhagic spots that do not disappear in pressure from the finger, it is a purpura. Immediately call the emergencies (15 or 112). Indeed, there is a significant risk of shock that can lead to death “explains health insurance on its site.
