 Peculiarities of meningitis treatment
Added: 12/09/2005 |
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What is there to be aware of for making the right decision regarding meningitis disease treatment? Meningitis disease can be caused by different kinds of infections, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, etc., which explains the existence of several types of meningitis. Among them are, for example, bacterial, viral, fungal, chronic types of meningitis. Due to their existence, there may be differences in the illness severity and meningitis treatment methods.
Meningitis disease is an inflammation of membranes (meninges) which cover the spinal cord and brain caused mainly by infection (such as fungal, viral, parasitic or bacterial). Among less common meningitis causes are other illnesses spreading to the meninges and inflaming them. One of the less common causes of the disease is protozoa or other parasites, associated with other everyday illnesses (for instance, serious ear infections or nasal sinus infections are able to spread directly to the fluid covering the human's brain and spinal cord.
Any more or less educated person should be aware of the common meningitis disease symptoms that include high fever, severe headache, seizures, confusion, sleepiness, difficulties with waking up, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite and some others.
Several types of meningitis are known nowadays. The meningitis caused by viruses is considered to be the viral one. It is relatively mild and clears up within ten days or even less with no special treatment.
Bacterial meningitis is much more serious. It is considered to be one of the most severe illnesses with the further brain damage or even death. Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by one of the following bacteria: streptococcus pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and listeria monocytogenes (listeria). It's very important to know exactly which type of the mentioned bacteria has caused a particular meningitis disease for choosing the most appropriate meningitis treatment method.
Any bacterial meningitis requires prompt meningitis treatment with special intravenous antibiotics. This can reduce the risk of possible complications and ensure the patient's recovery. The combination of antibiotics chosen for meningitis disease treatments greatly depends on the type of bacteria caused the illness. To identify the bacteria a detailed analysis of cerebrospinal fluid sample should be carried out.
Among the most often recommended remedies for meningitis treatment are brain swelling, shock, dehydration or convulsions. If the person has a bone behind the outer ear (connected to the middle ear) infected - he or she will likely be prescribed draining. The same procedure is usually carried out in case of fluid accumulation between brain and membranes surrounding it. Sometimes this fluid is removed surgically.
Be aware, that viral meningitis cannot be treated with antibiotics. As it has already been mentioned, the majority of viral meningitis clear up without any special meningitis treatment. Mild cases of viral meningitis can be cured with bed rest, over-the-counter pain medications (to relieve body aches and reduce possible fever), drinking plenty of fluids, etc.
Some meningitis can be caused by herpes virus. In this case, the doctor usually recommends a certain meningitis treatment with antiviral medications aimed at the mentioned virus.
It's worth admitting that early diagnosis and proper treatment are very important.
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