April 24th is the date that represents the fight against meningitis in the world. International data shows that approximately five million cases on the planet are reported every year. Of every ten people with the disease, one ends up dying and of every five survivors, at least one is left with serious consequences. Immunization, available both in the public and private networks, is still the best prevention alternative.
Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that Brazil has around 19 thousand cases each year, on average. Half of deaths occur in children under five years of age. Vaccination coverage is around 50% of the population, that is, one in two people is not immunized. “Vaccination is extremely important and reduces the chances of being affected by the disease. Regardless of whether public or private, health systems work at the limit of their service capacity, especially in Brazil. An outbreak of meningitis would certainly lead to overcrowding in hospitals, compromising the diagnosis and treatment of these patients”, says the neurologist at Dom João Becker Hospital, Diógenes Zan. According to the doctor, in addition to vaccination, washing your hands, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and keeping environments ventilated and clean contribute to preventing contagion.
The most dangerous causes, in general, are bacteria. Two in particular: Neisseria meningitidis (or meningococcus) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (or pneumococcus). Both are vaccinated, along with Haemophilus influenzae type B. In addition to bacteria, meningitis can also be caused by viruses and fungi. Unfortunately, person-to-person transmission is a reality. “The pathogen that is in the brain membranes remains in the patient’s airways before reaching the nervous system. Therefore, those who have meningitis can transmit the disease through coughing or sneezing”, explains the neurologist. If this happens, Diógenes recommends that the person who came into contact with the infected person seek medical help to receive the specific antibiotic and prevent the disease. Treatment takes place in a hospital environment and consists of the use of a powerful intravenous medication (given through the vein), which may be associated with another medication to reduce inflammation.
SERIOUS AFTERMATH – Meningitis usually progresses quickly, hence the importance of seeking care as quickly as possible. The main symptoms are high fever, very severe headache, difficulty moving the head (such as touching the chin to the chest), nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and mental confusion. “It is a condition in which the membranes lining the brain become inflamed. This inflammation can spread to the nervous system, causing death or several important consequences, such as deafness, loss of movement and memory changes”, comments Diógenes. The doctor emphasizes that the sooner the diagnosis is made and treatment begins, the less devastating the disease will be. Therefore, to avoid taking risks, it is essential to review your vaccination record and check whether you have already been immunized. Prevention is still the best medicine.
