World Meningitis Day falls on April 24 every year. However, what makes meningitis so important that it is necessary to allocate a special day every year to learn more about this disease?
Meningitis is one of the deadliest neurological infections in the world. People who contract meningitis can die within 24 hours of contracting the disease. On a global scale, meningitis kills approximately 2.8 million people each year.
Meningitis is also known as inflammation of the lining of the brain. Simply put, meningitis is an inflammation of the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. This layer or membrane is called the meninges.
Usually, you or someone close to you who has meningitis will experience several symptoms such as headaches, fever, changes in consciousness, nausea and vomiting, and have an increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). If you or someone close to you experiences some of these symptoms, immediately visit the nearest doctor and hospital to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Because meningitis is a contagious disease, you need to be careful not to catch it when caring for someone close to you who has meningitis. Transmission can occur through sneezing or coughing. However, breathing the same air as a person with meningitis will not cause you to catch the disease.
Types of Meningitis and Methods of Treatment
There are several types of meningitis which are divided based on the cause, including bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, and fungal meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria, for example the streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria found in the respiratory tract, the Neisseria meningitides bacteria which spread through saliva or mucus in the respiratory tract, and the Haemophilus influenza bacteria which causes meningitis in children. Furthermore, there is viral meningitis which is caused by a virus that easily spreads through the air through sneezing or coughing, sharing personal items, or touching objects contaminated with the virus. Meanwhile, fungal meningitis is a rarer type than the other two types of meningitis. This type usually occurs in AIDS patients or those who have a weak immune system.
Treatment for meningitis will vary depending on the type. If you or someone close to you has bacterial meningitis, the doctor will give antibiotics or corticosteroids. In some cases, viral meningitis can heal on its own. However, if the patient does not recover, the doctor can prescribe drugs such as acyclovir. Meanwhile, fungal meningitis can be treated with antifungal drugs.
In order to recover quickly, the key is to be sensitive to your body. If you experience some of the symptoms of meningitis, immediately go to the nearest hospital. If not, not only you, but the people closest to you can also be affected due to the fast and easy transmission of this disease.
Avoid Meningitis
Once you understand the types and how to treat meningitis, you also need to know how to avoid meningitis. Although dangerous and contagious, meningitis is not a disease that can not be prevented.
Prevention of meningitis can be done in the following ways:
- Vaccine
Because one of the causes of meningitis is a virus, vaccines are something you can do to prevent meningitis.
- Washing hands
Your hands come into contact with a variety of objects and some of them may be contaminated with viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis. For that, you need to wash your hands with soap and running water, especially after handling money, after using public toilets, and after using public transportation.
- Maintain immunity
Meningitis easily attacks you when your body is not feeling well. Maintain your immunity by eating protein foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
- Do not take turns using personal items
Avoid sharing objects such as eating and drinking utensils, especially with patients with meningitis because the disease can be transmitted through saliva and other fluids from the respiratory tract.
Well, those are the things you need to know about meningitis or inflammation of the lining of the brain. In order not to get this disease, the key is to maintain your lifestyle so that your body stays healthy and does not get infected easily. If you experience symptoms that indicate meningitis, immediately visit the EMC hospital to get the diagnosis and treatment needed. #LiveExcellently