The structures surrounding our brain can be subdivided into three cerebrospinal meninges: hard, arachnoid and soft, where between the arachnoid and soft we find the anatomically located cerebrospinal fluid. Its main function is to cushion when moving the head, preventing the brain from directly hitting the skull. Under normal, normal physiological conditions, the CSF does not fuse with its surroundings or with the blood, but when the physiological barriers are broken, or in a situation of close proximity to inflammation, there may be a risk of developing meningitis, which, with the help of the CSF, may spread. The most common causes of meningitis, include viruses and batteries.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of meningitis that are observed include headache, fever, and symptoms associated with neck stiffness, which manifests itself especially during the medical examination when the doctor cannot freely squeeze the lying patient's head against his chest due to palpable resistance. Disturbances of consciousness, a feeling of fogginess, confusion or drowsiness may also occur. In addition, vomiting, convulsive symptoms, photophobia, increased sensitivity to sounds are observed in some cases. Symptoms on the skin in the form of a blood-red rash may also appear.

Symptoms associated with limb paresis, the appearance of facial asymmetry or abnormal eye movement and speech disorders are also less common, but not excluded. In the context of children, symptoms suggestive of meningitis include fever, listlessness, lethargy, lack of appetite and bulging of the fontanel.

Diagnosis

Meningitis is always diagnosed in the hospital setting, where a lumbar puncture is crucial. This examination is crucial in making an accurate diagnosis and, moreover, crucial for ruling out meningitis. During the examination, cerebrospinal fluid is collected by means of puncture, i.e. a needle is inserted between the vertebrae in the lumbar spine at the level where the spinal cord is absent (this eliminates the risk of damaging the nerves and their structures). The information obtained during the examination is important for making a diagnosis and for planning further therapeutic and therapeutic procedures.

Prevention

Close foci of infection are a major source of risk for the development of meningitis. This refers to inflammations located in the sinuses, dentition or ear structures. Long-term persistence of such a condition poses an immediate risk.

Turning to infections, these can be transmitted both by droplet and direct contact, with inadequate hand hygiene being a major contributory factor. Large concentrations of people increase the risk of contracting a virus or bacteria. Usually, infections that have been treated and treated are not serious, but in some cases they can be extremely severe, causing serious complications or even resulting in the death of the patient. Children and the elderly, whose immunity is compromised, are particularly at risk.

Insects

Insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, play a significant role in the transmission of viruses and bacteria. Polish conditions are favourable for the transmission of tick-borne encephalitis, among other diseases, so it is worth remembering to take appropriate precautions and to use appropriate tick and mosquito repellents. Out-of-town areas in particular are at risk from mosquito and tick attacks, but city dwellers also encounter these creatures and are at risk from tick-borne diseases.

Vaccinations

There are types of meningitis that can be protected against with vaccination. These include inflammations caused by pneumococcus, meningococcus or tick-borne encephalitis virus, among others. With this in mind, it is therefore advisable to consult your family doctor.

Tick-borne encephalitis

As the name suggests, this disease is transmitted by ticks, but it is a condition that can be protected against by vaccination, which is given in three doses. The administration of the first dose is advisable when the ticks are not yet in their active period. The second dose should be taken after three months and the last, after one year. The second dose already gives almost 100% immunity. [1]