Can adults get purulent meningitis?

Regarding this issue, Dr. Dao Van Cao (Head of Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital E), replied:

Purulent meningitis is caused by the bacteria Haemophilus Influenzae (HI) and is common in children under 5 years old, but this disease can also attack adults and cause dangerous consequences, complicated treatment, and even death if not detected early and treated promptly.

Purulent meningitis is an acute bacterial infection of the meninges caused by a number of bacteria. Purulent meningitis in adults varies in severity and danger depending on the cause and the patient's constitution. Severely ill patients may experience confusion, delirium or agitation, convulsions, and even fall into a critical state. People with purulent meningitis are susceptible to nervous system damage, complications of encephalitis, brain abscess, deafness, epilepsy, etc. Purulent meningitis can occur in any subject. In adults, purulent meningitis often has more typical symptoms, but is sometimes difficult to diagnose because it is easily confused with symptoms of other diseases. Symptoms of purulent meningitis often start suddenly such as: high fever, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, sensitivity to light, bleeding or hemorrhagic rash with abnormal shapes on the skin, etc.

For patients with a history of meningitis and an unknown cause of the disease, if the above signs appear, quickly go to a medical facility with a tropical disease specialist for examination and detection of the disease. Early detection and timely diagnosis of purulent meningitis are very important in treatment to minimize the risk of death and sequelae for the patient. The doctor will rely on clinical symptoms and tests, especially cerebrospinal fluid tests to diagnose the disease. Especially for young children with weak resistance, if treatment is delayed, the risk of death or neurological sequelae (convulsions, blindness, deafness, paralysis of limbs, poor cognition) is very high. Therefore, when seeing children with sudden high fever, lethargy, crying... parents need to take them to the hospital for timely examination. When sick, it is necessary to comply with the treatment of doctors, re-examine and monitor the patient. If there are any unusual symptoms, it is necessary to notify the treating doctor to avoid future consequences to the patient's health.

Currently, the most important way to prevent meningitis caused by HI is vaccination. According to recommendations, all children need to be vaccinated against HIB (pneumonia and meningitis) from 2 months of age. Although this is a purulent meningitis that can be cured with antibiotics, doctors also warn that antibiotic resistance of bacteria is also a difficulty in the fight against this disease.

All questions from readers for the "Your Doctor" column should be sent to: Economic - Social - Internal Affairs Editorial Department (People's Army Newspaper, No. 8 Ly Nam De, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City). Email: [email protected], [email protected].

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