Bacterial meningitis
Release time : 01/18/2025 18:13:27
Bacterial meningitis is the most severe type of infectious disease among meningitis, with a high mortality rate and incidence of sequelae. The patients are mostly infants and young children with low resistance.
It is the guarantee of improving cure rate, reducing mortality and decreasing sequelae by considering the characteristics of pathogens and antimicrobial drugs and pharmacological properties in timely and effective antimicrobial treatment.
What is bacterial meningitis? Bacterial meningitis is a serious infectious disease with high mortality and morbidity rates.
It is ensured that the cure rate, mortality rate and sequelae are improved with the timely, effective anti-bacterial treatment based on the characteristics of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial drugs.
Bacterial meningitis is classified into three types: H. influenzae B, N. meningitidis (bacterium), and S. pneumoniae (pneumococcus).
About 80% of cases in the United States are caused by bacterial meningitis.
Usually, a small number of healthy people carry these bacteria in the nose or on their body and do not harm humans. He spreads them through coughing or sneezing.
People are most susceptible to catching a cold when their noses become inflamed and bacteria can easily enter the brain.
Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants and young children aged 1 to 2 months.
Except for special risk factors, the chance of an adult developing meningitis is much smaller.
In the population of close contacts, such as military training camps, college dormitories, small epidemics of meningitis caused by Streptococcus can occur.
Causes of Bacterial Meningitis, The cause of bacterial meningitis is caused by bacterial infection, and 80% of bacterial meningitis is caused by three types of bacteria: Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Under normal circumstances, these bacteria are widely present in the external environment and can parasitize in the human nose and respiratory tract without causing harm.
Occasionally, these pathogens can infect the central nervous system without a clear precipitating factor.
Meningitis can also be caused by skull perforation or autoimmune system abnormalities.
Bacterial meningitis is more likely to occur in patients who are heavy drinkers, undergone splenectomy, chronic ear and nasal infections, as well as those with pneumococcal pneumonia or sickle cell anemia.
Escherichia coli (found in the colon and feces) and Klebsiella pneumoniae are less common causes of meningitis.
These bacterial infections can occur on the basis of cranial injury, post-surgical brain or spinal cord injury, extensive systemic bacteremia or nosocomial infection.
However, patients with impaired immune function are more susceptible to infections.
Patients with renal failure and those who are taking corticosteroids are more likely to develop Lister's meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants and young children aged from 1 to 2 years.
The chance of a person having meningitis is much less unless there are special risk factors.
Small epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occur among close contacts in military training camps, college dormitories and other settings.
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are quite obvious, but often, mothers tend to confuse it with other pediatric diseases, leading to the overlooking of these symptoms and thus causing problems in timely treatment.
Symptoms in the early stages of infant development include: lethargy, fever, vomiting, refusal to eat, increased crying, and restlessness.
Larger children may also experience: severe headaches, aversion to bright light and loud noises, muscle rigidity, especially in the neck.
In cases across all age groups, initial symptoms typically include progressive somnolence, although occasional occurrences of coma or convulsions may also be observed.
Some patients with meningitis may also develop special rashes (pink or purple red, flat, not faded by pressure).
Most patients develop symptoms of meningitis 1 to 7 days before the onset of the disease: fever, headache, neck stiffness, sore throat, vomiting, and often with respiratory diseases. The neck stiffness is not always painful and when the chin is brought down toward the chest it may cause pain or cannot be brought close.
Adults can fall into critically ill states within 24 hours, and children's disease course can even be shorter.
In larger children and adults, the state of consciousness progresses from irritability, delirium, stupor to coma.
Seizures may occur, associated with cranial nerve lesions.
Dehydration is common, and vascular collapse can cause shock, especially in cases of meningococcal sepsis.
Infants and young children with meningitis may present with fever, refusal to feed, vomiting, irritability, convulsions, high-pitched crying, and a tense or bulging fontanelle.
Cerebrospinal fluid circulation obstruction can lead to an enlargement of the cranial cavity (hydrocephalus).
Neonatal meningitis does not present with neck rigidity as it does in adolescents and adults.
Preventing Bacterial Meningitis: The infectious nature of bacterial meningitis necessitates effective prevention. First and foremost, it is essential to maintain a healthy immune system. A diet rich in low-fat, high-fiber, nutritious foods should be consumed, while sugars and processed foods should be avoided. Vitamins also play a significant role.
Vitamin A (2500-10000 international units daily), compound Vitamin B (500mg three times a day), Vitamin C (500-2000mg daily).
1. Early detection and on-site isolation and treatment.
2. During the epidemic, proper sanitary publicity should be conducted. It is advisable to avoid large gatherings and group activities, not to bring children to public places, and to wear masks when going out.
3. Drug Prevention: During the outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, individuals exhibiting fever accompanied by headache should be treated with antibiotics.
Apathy.
Acute pharyngitis.
For cases presenting with two out of the four symptoms, such as skin and oral mucosal bleeding, symptomatic medication can be administered to effectively reduce the incidence rate and prevent an epidemic.
4. Vaccine Prevention.
At the same time, the most basic method of preventing tuberculous meningitis is to prevent children from being infected with tubercle bacilli. It is necessary to carry out vaccination for children, receive a BCG vaccine immediately after birth and re-vaccinate every 3-4 years, and avoid contact with patients with tuberculosis.
When children exhibit recurrent low-grade fever and cough that is difficult to cure, they should be taken to the hospital for a chest X-ray. If confirmed to have tuberculosis, it should be treated thoroughly to prevent its spread to the brain.
If a child presents with persistent low-grade fever, altered mental status, and continuous headache, vomiting, an examination of cerebrospinal fluid should be conducted at the hospital. If confirmed to have tuberculous meningitis, it is essential to administer thorough and standardized treatment to minimize the occurrence of sequelae.
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate treatment.
If symptoms appear, seek emergency medical care immediately.
The treatment of bacterial meningitis is mainly based on identifying the bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid smears and cultures, selecting effective antibiotics according to drug sensitivity tests, and promptly administering them to minimize the occurrence of sequelae.
Targeted treatment for high fever, control of convulsions, reduction of intracranial pressure, alleviation of cerebral edema, and the use of steroids to reduce intracranial inflammation and adhesions.
If you have meningitis, it is imperative to seek prompt medical attention at a hospital until the infection is completely eradicated, which typically takes approximately two weeks.
If one is infected with a bacterium, it will be treated with high doses of antibiotics and possibly administered by intravenous injection.
Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial meningitis.
Because antibiotics do not work against viral meningitis, antiviral drugs should be added.
They also often use infusions and rest therapy.
Because meningitis is contagious, it will be placed in isolation for at least 48 hours.
If the patient has meningitis, they are sensitive to light; the room will be darkened.
At this time, a large amount of fluids should be taken and aspirin should be taken to relieve fever and headache.
The doctor may need to give the patient a nasal and mastoid shunt (a bone behind the ear) to prevent infection.
1. General Treatment: Keep in bed quietly, pay attention to disinfection and isolation, maintain bronchial patency, provide oxygen, and suction sputum.
2. Prevent cerebrospinal fluid blockage: For cases with thickened cerebrospinal fluid or those treated later, intravenous administration of dexamethasone or hydrocortisone may be considered.
Or subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone 1-2 mg may enhance the therapeutic effect.
3. Shock Syndrome: For patients with shock syndrome, treat according to the guidelines for infection-related shock.
When DIC is present, treat it as per DIC.
4. Management of increased intracranial pressure: 20% mannitol or 25% sorbitol, 1-2g/kg, administered rapidly via intravenous infusion over a period of 20-30 minutes.
In cases of critical illness, immediate application of multiple antibiotics based on experience is recommended, and lumbar puncture can be performed afterward.
In cases where the condition is not urgent, lumbar puncture should be performed immediately prior to treatment.
Immediate antibiotic treatment is administered to specimens of cerebrospinal fluid, blood, nasopharyngeal secretions, and other related body fluids after culture.
If the cerebrospinal fluid smear examination does not clearly determine the species of the pathogen, treatment can be initiated based on experience. Meanwhile, await the results of serum and culture tests.
Adrenal corticosteroids can help. Early use of dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg, IV, every 6 hours for 2 days) or other anti-inflammatory agents may prevent major neurological sequelae, including hearing loss in children with meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
Fever, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances should be promptly corrected. For cases presenting with cerebral edema symptoms, it is advisable to avoid excessive fluid intake. Seizure episodes and status epilepticus require symptomatic treatment.
Adjunctive treatment should be administered prior to the selection of therapy because meningitis is rapidly progressive and life-threatening.
The intent of the chosen therapy is to help patients recover their bodies and rebuild their immune systems to prevent relapse.
Undertake biofeedback therapy, perform holistic treatment or see a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
Traditional Chinese medicine may recommend acupuncture and needle pressure methods, or combine with herbal therapy to enhance immunity.
Massage therapists or osteopathic physicians can also assist patients in regaining their strength.
*The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
In the event of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the clinical examination conducted by a physician.