What is acute meningitis?

Since acute meningitis is a sudden disease, the mortality rate of patients is extremely high, and there are also many sequelae after treatment. Therefore, once patients find that they have acute meningitis, they must take measures to receive timely treatment. But now, there are still many people who don’t know what acute meningitis is and what its symptoms are. So now let me explain to you what acute meningitis is.

The most common pathogens causing acute meningitis are Neisseria meningitidis, Pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae. The main infection routes of acute meningitis include: 1. Hematogenous infection: When there are infectious lesions in other parts of the body and the body's resistance is reduced, the bacteria enter the blood to form bacteremia, and the bacteria enter the skull through the blood circulation to cause meningitis. 2. Direct spread: direct invasion of infection foci in adjacent areas (such as sinusitis, otitis media, mastoiditis, brain abscess, craniocerebral trauma, skull osteomyelitis, etc.). 3. Through the cerebrospinal fluid pathway: Through lumbar puncture or cranial surgery, pathogens enter the cerebrospinal fluid and directly cause meningeal infection.

Clinical manifestations: 1. Usually the onset is acute or explosive. In the acute phase, systemic symptoms are obvious, such as chills, fever, and general discomfort. There may be symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection such as cough and sputum. Headache is the prominent symptom. Impaired consciousness such as drowsiness, lethargy, and confusion may occur. About 40% of patients experience seizures, most commonly in the first few days after infection.

2. The patient has signs of meningeal irritation such as neck stiffness, Kernig sign and Brudzinski sign. Signs of meningeal irritation may not be obvious in elderly patients or patients in deep coma.

3. In the later stages of the disease, persistent fever, slow reaction and even coma may occur. Infants and children may experience symptoms such as enlarged head and bulging fontanelle.

4. Some patients may experience symptoms such as hemiplegia and aphasia.

5. Some patients may have more special clinical features. For example, meningococcal meningitis may cause systemic petechiae, ecchymoses or purpura.

After reading the above, I believe everyone understands what acute meningitis is, but patients don’t have to worry. As long as they follow the doctor’s advice, receive timely treatment, and take medication on time, I believe the patient will recover soon! In addition, we must also pay attention to our work and rest habits in daily life and ensure our health to prevent acute meningitis.