Meningitis is an inflammatory disease in which the soft or hard membranes of the brain and spinal cord are affected. It can arise both as an independent pathology, and as a complication after another illness. Delay in the treatment of meningitis can lead to severe consequences, so it is important to know the first symptoms of meningitis in adults, in order to recognize the disease in time.
Symptoms of serous (viral) meningitis in adults
Serous meningitis is caused by various viruses that can penetrate the brain's membrane through blood, lymph, or along the nerve trunks with a contact or airborne infection route. More often the inflammation of the meninges in adults is caused by such viruses:
- enteroviruses;
- mumps virus;
- the Epstein-Barr virus;
- viruses of poliomyelitis;
- cytomegalovirus;
- adenoviruses;
- herpes viruses, etc.
In most cases, the incubation period of serous meningitis takes 2 to 4 days. The disease is characterized by an acute onset with the appearance of the following main symptoms:
- significant increase in body temperature;
- constant painful headache, not eliminated by analgesics;
- painful perception of external stimuli (noise, bright light);
- increased sensitivity of skin;
- general malaise, weakness;
- muscle pain;
- nausea, vomiting;
- lack of appetite;
- runny nose, cough, sore throat;
- slight disturbances of consciousness.
The patient with a viral meningitis easily gives out a characteristic forced position: lying on his side, knees brought to the stomach, hands clasped to his chest and a head thrown back.
Symptoms of purulent meningitis in adults
Purulent meningitis has a bacterial etiology and is often caused in adults by microorganisms such as:
- meningococci;
- pneumococci;
- haemophilus influenzae , etc.
The development of bacterial meningitis in most cases is noted against a background of reduced immunity.
Depending on the manner in which the pathogen of infection has entered the cerebral membrane, primary and secondary purulent meningitis is distinguished. Primary develops when bacteria get from the environment (airborne or by contact) and transfer them through the blood. It is also possible to directly infect the brain membranes in the case of an open craniocerebral trauma, open trauma to the paranasal sinuses, with improper compliance with aseptic norms during neurosurgical operations.
Secondary purulent meningitis develops as a result of transfer of infection into the brain envelopes from the already existing in the body foci of any localization with blood or lymph. Bacteria that cause purulent processes can also penetrate through a contact with cerebral abscess, septic sinustrombosis, osteomyelitis of bones.
The incubation period of purulent meningitis usually lasts 2 to 5 days. Characteristic appearance of such symptoms:
- a sharp significant increase in body temperature;
- severe chills;
- headache, which is constantly increasing;
- nausea, vomiting;
- psychomotor agitation;
- impaired consciousness;
- rave;
- diffuse rash of hemorrhagic nature.
When violations of the functions of various cranial nerves can be observed such manifestations:
- decreased visual acuity;
- strabismus;
- the descent of the upper eyelid;
- deafness and others.
Treatment of meningitis in adults
The appearance of symptoms of meningitis in adults is the reason for hospitalization and treatment with the prescription of drugs of such groups:
- analgesics;
- antipyretics;
- antibiotics (for bacterial meningitis);
- antiviral drugs (with viral meningitis), etc.
To prevent cerebral edema, diuretics are prescribed, and detoxification therapy is also prescribed.