Symptoms of purulent meningitis
Release time : 01/18/2025 18:13:27
Pyogenic meningitis is a very dangerous disease. Even in the era of highly developed medical technology, its incidence and mortality rates remain high.
The incidence of septic meningitis is higher in developing countries compared to developed ones, mainly due to the lower vaccination rates in developing countries.
What are the symptoms of purulent meningitis? Can it be cured? The occurrence of purulent meningitis indicates that there is a serious infection in the child's brain, and even the best antibiotics available today can lead to high disability and mortality rates due to this severe intracranial infection.
What are the symptoms of purulent meningitis? 1. Infection symptoms: Children with purulent meningitis exhibit a series of symptoms associated with respiratory infections, including fever and chills. 2. Meningeal irritation signs: The child may show neck stiffness, Kernig's sign, and Brudzinski's sign positive. It should be noted that these signs are not evident in newborns, elderly patients, or those who have already become comatose.
3. Intracranial Pressure Increase: An increase in intracranial pressure can lead to symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and confusion in patients.
Increased intracranial pressure can also lead to the development of a brain herniation.
Some patients may also experience symptoms such as hemiplegia and aphasia, which are typical manifestations of neurological damage. Additionally, other symptoms: in some patients with purulent meningitis, there may be some distinctive symptoms. For example, rashes can occur on the mucous membranes and conjunctivae of the torso and lower limbs, and in very few cases, the palms and soles of the feet may also exhibit rashes.
Can fulminating meningitis recur? Fulminating meningitis is a condition that can occur suddenly, and children are the most susceptible population to this type of meningitis. If a child exhibits symptoms such as sudden fever, multiple convulsions, or confusion, one should suspect fulminating meningitis.
Septic meningitis carries a mortality rate that is extremely high. So, after treatment, can patients with septic meningitis experience recurrence? There is no such thing as a recurrence of septic meningitis; however, it is not like some other diseases where once you have been infected once, you are immune for life. It's similar to the common cold we often encounter; if we fail to take proper precautions in our daily lives, we can still be reinfected. However, this phenomenon should not be referred to as a recurrence of septic meningitis; rather, it should be considered as a reinfection.
If a baby has once had purulent meningitis, it is imperative that the parents seek medical attention immediately if they encounter symptoms similar to those of purulent meningitis in the future.
Certainly, the likelihood of reinfection with septic meningitis is not as high as for common cold infections, but it is not zero either. Therefore, even patients who have previously contracted septic meningitis should continue to be vigilant against the risk of reinfection, in order to prevent further damage to their health.
Can suppurative meningitis be cured? Parents who have experienced their child suffering from suppurative meningitis must undoubtedly be filled with anxiety. Suppurative meningitis is extremely dangerous, and the delay in treatment or improper treatment can endanger the life and health of the child.
Many children may also suffer from sequelae due to purulent meningitis. So, can purulent meningitis be cured? Purulent meningitis can be cured, but the mortality and disability rates are relatively high. Therefore, early treatment is essential and appropriate antibiotics should be used based on the different types of infections. Prior to confirming the type of bacteria, broad-spectrum antibiotics can be administered.
Generally speaking, the bacteria that cause purulent meningitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Gram-negative bacteria, among others. Once the pathogen causing the child's purulent meningitis is identified, it is possible to administer antibiotics with high sensitivity against the specific pathogen. Additionally, in severe cases, multidrug therapy may be employed. Different pathogens require different treatment durations.
Moreover, the use of steroid therapy is also permissible for purulent meningitis. Steroid therapy can stabilize the blood-brain barrier. It is primarily used for treatment of children with severe purulent meningitis, and in addition, symptomatic treatment should be administered for other symptoms associated with purulent meningitis.
Is there a sequelae of suppurative meningitis? In cases that progress to the late stages of treatment, it is often difficult to completely cure. The child's life is put under severe challenge at this time.
Additionally, delayed treatment can result in serious consequences, including leaving children with various sequelae. Among these, encephalitis patients account for approximately one-third of those who suffer from complications. Children under six months are more likely to experience sequelae.
1. Purulent meningitis can lead to limb paralysis in patients, as well as impair vision and hearing. This is because purulent meningitis damages the brain membranes and brain substance to varying degrees, and these damages are irreversible.
2. Purulent meningitis can cause intellectual impairment in patients, especially children still in the stage of development, which may lead to intellectual disability.
3. Motor dysfunction is also one of the sequelae left by purulent meningitis, in addition to the hemiplegia we mentioned above. Many patients may also experience ocular paralysis, dysphagia, and even aphasia due to purulent meningitis.
Cerebral suppuration can bring about a variety of dreadful sequelae for patients, and some sequelae are irreversible. However, there are also some sequelae that can be significantly improved through subsequent treatment and rehabilitation training.
Additionally, pay attention to the emotional state of patients with sequelae from purulent meningitis, to prevent them from being overly depressed due to the sequelae, leading to the onset of depression.
To prevent meningitis, it is essential to promptly block the invasion of bacteria into the brain. This can be achieved by actively preventing other infections and inflammatory conditions, including newborns' particular attention to preventing congenital infection at the umbilical cord site.
Next, we will discuss how to better prevent purulent meningitis from the perspective of pregnant women and newborns.
Prevention Measure One: Proper Prenatal Care It is important to pay attention to the prevention of common colds and other fever-inducing diseases during pregnancy. Special emphasis should be placed on this aspect during the prenatal period.
Preventive Measure Two: Preventing Infections During the Perinatal Period. 1. When delivering, midwives must strictly disinfect their hands and instruments during delivery. Disinfection must be rigorously conducted throughout the entire labor process.
2. After the baby is born, it is necessary to strengthen its skin care, especially for the umbilical area of newborns and premature infants. Avoid getting water or urine on the area. If there is a spill of water or urine, timely disinfection is required.
To prevent skin and mucous membrane damage, to prevent infection after the damage.
Additionally, when a baby cries, it is important to avoid letting tears flow into the ear canal.
3. Opt for breastfeeding as much as possible to boost your child's immunity.
4. Avoid contact between newborns and individuals with infectious diseases.
Preventive Measure 3: Preventing Neonatal Sepsis Any signs of infection in a newborn should be taken seriously by parents. It is essential to seek professional medical attention promptly to prevent the infection from worsening and leading to neonatal sepsis, which could potentially cause bacterial infections and result in purulent meningitis.
*The medical content mentioned in this article is for reading purposes only. Please consult a professional for medical advice.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. Please rely on in-person medical consultation, diagnosis, and treatment for accurate care.