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Serous meningitis symptoms. Serous meningitis: how to protect yourself from complications

Serous meningitis is a rapidly developing inflammatory process that affects the lining of the brain. In 80% of cases, it is caused by viruses and bacteria. Children aged 3-6 years are most susceptible to the disease. In medical practice, there are cases of the disease in schoolchildren and adults, but their number is extremely small.

Symptoms of serous meningitis in children

The first symptoms of serous meningitis appear within 1-2 days and are called “meningeal syndrome”. These include:

a rapid jump in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
constant headache (worsens with eye movement, bright light and loud noises);
convulsions;
increased irritability;
weakness;
muscle and joint pain;
problems in the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain);
cough;
runny nose;
a sore throat;
dry mouth;
pallor of the nasal triangle;
increased heart rate;
the appearance of spots on the skin;
impaired consciousness (slow reaction, stupefaction);
problems caused by nerve damage (squint, difficulty swallowing);
respiratory tract paralysis;
In infants, the fontanel swells;
I can’t touch my chin to my chest.

Symptoms of serous meningitis can be expressed in varying degrees of intensity. They go away in 3-5 days. If they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment. Otherwise, the consequences of the disease may be serious and irreversible.

Causes of the disease

The causes of serous meningitis are distinguished by the nature of their occurrence:

primary – an independent inflammatory process;
secondary - a complication of an existing infectious or bacterial disease.

The main causative agent is infections of the enterovirus group (Coxsackie, ECHO). The disease can also begin to develop as a result of viruses such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, influenza, measles, herpes, adenovirus, arenavirus, Epstein-Barr virus (we recommend reading:).

In addition, the causative agents of the disease can be bacteria:

Koch bacillus (tuberculosis);
syphilis;
Treponema pallidum.

Determining the cause of serous meningitis is necessary to prescribe antimicrobial therapy. It is worth remembering that timely treatment allows you to quickly cope with the disease and minimizes the risk of any complications.

Who is at risk?

Since serous meningitis is an infectious disease, it primarily affects people with weak immune systems. That is why the disease most often occurs in children aged 3-6 years, because the protective functions of their body are not yet fully formed.

Serous meningitis can also affect adults and school-age children. This is only possible as a result of severe exhaustion of the body, chronic diseases, regular stress, poor nutrition, severe hypothermia, and lack of vitamins and minerals. Meningitis often occurs in people with cancer and immunodeficiencies.

The risk group also includes people living in conditions that do not meet the requirements of sanitary standards. Such premises are an excellent place for the proliferation of various infections.

Routes of infection

Infections that cause serous meningitis enter the body in different ways. Sometimes a child becomes infected from the mother during pregnancy, through blood transfusions and insect and dog bites. Such cases are extremely rare. The most common routes are airborne, waterborne and contact. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Airborne

The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets when it resides and multiplies on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract of a sick person. When you cough, sneeze, kiss or talk, the virus enters the air through saliva, spreads quickly and settles on the nasopharyngeal mucosa of surrounding people.

Water

In recent years, serous meningitis in children has begun to be seasonal. The number of sick people increases significantly in the summer. The fact is that enteroviruses that provoke the disease do not die in water, so during the swimming season there is a high probability of infection through dirty water of various reservoirs and pools.

Contact

Viruses constantly settle on objects surrounding an infected person. When contacting such things, infection occurs in a healthy body. Failure to comply with basic rules of personal hygiene, unwashed vegetables, and poor quality drinking water can cause an infection that provokes the development of serous meningitis.

First signs of the disease and incubation period

The incubation period of the disease is 2-10 days. It depends on the human immune system. The first signs by which meningitis can be recognized include:

Kernig's symptom - it is impossible to straighten the legs bent at a right angle;
tripod symptom – unable to sit upright (the body is tilted forward, and the head and arms are backward);
upper Brudzinski symptom – automatic bending of the legs when the head is tilted forward;
average Brudzinski symptom - during pressure on the lower abdomen, the legs are involuntarily pulled towards the body;
lower Brudzinski syndrome - when you try to straighten one leg, the second will bend;
Bekhterev's symptom - when pressing on the cheekbone, the facial muscles contract;
Pulatov's syndrome - painful sensations when sharply touching the skull.

Signs of damage to the cranial nerves may also include:

heat;
deterioration of vision and hearing;
double vision;
nystagmus – involuntary eye vibrations;
ptosis – drooping of the upper eyelid;
strabismus;
disturbance of consciousness;
increased agitation or drowsiness;
hallucinations.

A dangerous sign is the appearance of a rash. It looks like red or pink spots that disappear when pressed. They first appear on the legs and quickly spread throughout the body. After a few hours, the spots become bluish in color with a darker center.

If such a rash appears, you should immediately call an ambulance, otherwise death is possible. These spots are tissue necrosis as a result of the onset of blood poisoning caused by meningococcus.

The mechanism of development of serous meningitis

The development of serous meningitis includes the following stages:

The infection enters the body and the inflammatory process begins. How long it takes depends only on the protective functions of the body. In this case, the virus actively multiplies (incubation period).
As a result of this, hemodynamic disturbances occur and, as a consequence, an increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which causes meningeal syndrome.
Subsequently, thickening of the membranes of the brain occurs, which can result in serious complications.

Methods of treating meningitis in children

Treatment of serous meningitis is carried out exclusively in a hospital under the supervision of specialists. This is necessary for constant monitoring and prevention of the development of severe complications. The course of therapy includes mandatory drug treatment and the creation of all conditions for a speedy recovery.

A treatment regimen is prescribed only after the root cause of the disease (bacteria or virus) has been determined:

To treat meningitis caused by various types of bacteria, antibacterial drugs are used. These include broad-spectrum antibiotics (Ampicillin, Bilmicin, Amoxicillin, etc.). Their peculiarity is that the bacilli become accustomed to the drugs, so using them for more than a week is not recommended. In this case, you just need to replace the medicine with another one.
For viral meningitis, antiviral drugs are prescribed (Acyclovir, Artepol, Interferon).
As the disease progresses, a large amount of fluid accumulates in the head, which increases intracranial pressure. Diuretics (Furosemide and Lasix) are prescribed to remove fluid. If there is no result, a lumbar puncture is performed.

To reduce the number and intensity of seizures, sedatives (Seduxen or Domosedan) are prescribed. They are absolutely safe for children and are not addictive.

The following actions will also help a speedy recovery and relief of the child’s general condition:

creating dim lighting (patients have a significantly increased sensitivity to bright light);
maintaining a calm psychological atmosphere (stress and nervous tension are contraindicated for the child);
taking multivitamin preparations (to maintain the body’s protective functions);
adherence to a diet (it is not recommended to eat hot food, sweet, fatty, sour, salty).

Consequences of the disease

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, the consequences of viral meningitis are minimal or non-existent. At an advanced stage of the disease, the following may occur as a consequence:

regular headaches;
sleep problems;
memory impairment;
poor perception of new information;
convulsions;
deterioration of hearing and vision (in rare cases, their complete loss is possible);
developmental delay;
speech disorder;
epilepsy;
disturbances in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system;
weakening of the muscles of the limbs;
paralysis.

Such consequences are possible only in the most severe cases. That is why at the first signs of serous meningitis it is necessary to immediately contact a specialist.

Only doctors can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe therapeutic measures. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate in such cases, otherwise death may result.

Prevention

To minimize the possible occurrence of viral meningitis, prevention is necessary, namely:

swim only in approved and verified places;
maintain personal hygiene and teach the child to do so;
wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly;
drink boiled or purified water;
use personal towels and cutlery;
lead a healthy lifestyle;
Healthy food;
to harden;
during epidemic periods, stay away from large crowds of people;
follow the vaccination schedule.

Inflammation of the pia mater of a serous nature, which can be caused by viruses (most often), bacteria, fungi, systemic diseases, tumors, cerebral cysts. In most cases, the disease is acute with fever, headache, meningeal symptom complex, and sometimes with damage to the cranial nerves. Diagnosis is based on epidemiological data, the results of a neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, bacteriological and virological studies, EEG, and MRI of the brain. Therapy includes etiotropic treatment, dehydration, detoxification, antibiotic therapy, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, and neurometabolic drugs.

General information

Diagnosis of serous meningitis

Based on the characteristic clinical picture and the presence of a meningeal symptom complex (typical posture, rigidity of the posterior cervical muscles, positive Kerneg's symptoms, lower and upper Brudzinski's symptoms, in infants - Lesage's symptom), not only a neurologist, but also a local therapist or pediatrician can assume the presence of meningitis. A thorough study of the medical history (identifying contacts with sick individuals, determining the duration of the incubation period, the nature of the onset of the disease, etc.) and conducting additional examination methods are necessary to establish the type and etiology of meningitis.

Serous meningitis is accompanied by typical inflammatory changes in a clinical blood test, but usually the rise in ESR and leukocytosis are less pronounced than with purulent meningitis. To isolate the pathogen, bacterial culture of swabs from the throat and nose is carried out, and virological studies are carried out using PCR, RIF, and ELISA methods. In patients with immunodeficiency, immunological studies aimed at verifying the pathogen are not very informative, since they can give false results.

Serous meningitis can be confirmed by examining the cerebrospinal fluid. Serous inflammation of the soft cerebral membrane is characterized by slightly opalescent or transparent cerebrospinal fluid with a slightly increased protein content. Tuberculous and fungal meningitis are accompanied by a decrease in glucose levels. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks under increased pressure. In the first few days, neutrophilic leukocytosis may be observed, which resembles the picture of bacterial meningitis. Then lymphocytes begin to predominate in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is more typical for viral meningitis. Therefore, lumbar puncture must be repeated and the data from the study of cerebrospinal fluid must be compared at different periods of the disease.

With tuberculous and syphilistic etiology of meningitis, pathogens can be identified by microscopy of cerebrospinal fluid after special staining of smears. If serous meningitis is of viral origin, then the pathogen is not detected. If necessary, the following examinations may be additionally prescribed:

For the purpose of detoxification, infusion therapy is carried out, and to combat liquor-hypertensive syndrome - dehydration (administration of diuretics: furosemide, acetazolamide). For febrility, antipyretics are prescribed (ibuprofen, paracetamol), for convulsive syndrome - detomidine, diazepam, valproic acid. At the same time, neuroprotective and neurotropic therapy is carried out - nootropics are prescribed (gamma-aminobutyric acid, piracetam, glycine), B vitamins, pig brain hydrolyzate, etc.

Forecast and prevention of serous meningitis

In the vast majority of cases, with correct and timely treatment, serous meningitis has a favorable outcome. Usually the temperature begins to subside already on the 3-4th day; a repeated wave of febrility is rarely observed. On average, serous meningitis lasts about 10 days, with a maximum of 2 weeks. As a rule, it passes without leaving any consequences. In some cases, after meningitis, liquor-hypertension syndrome, frequent cephalgia, asthenia, emotional instability, memory impairment, and difficulty concentrating may persist. However, these residual effects disappear within a few weeks or months. Tuberculous meningitis has a serious prognosis; without the use of anti-tuberculosis pharmaceuticals, it leads to death on the 23-25th day of illness. With a late start of anti-tuberculosis treatment, the prognosis is serious - relapses and complications are possible.

The best prevention of meningitis of any etiology is a strong immune system, i.e. healthy diet, active lifestyle, hardening, etc. Preventive measures should also include timely treatment of acute infections, isolation of sick people, vaccination against tuberculosis, drinking only purified or boiled water, thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, maintain personal hygiene.

Every person experiences headaches regularly throughout their life. Sometimes it is a consequence of chronic fatigue and goes away after rest, but there are cases in which this symptom indicates serious damage to the nervous system. One of these diseases is serous. This disease occurs in patients of different ages and genders, leading to adverse consequences for the body. That is why it is necessary to know the first signs of the development of the disease and promptly seek help from a specialist.

What is serous meningitis

Serous meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord that is caused by various pathogenic agents. Their role can be bacteria, viruses, fungi and even protozoa. When a microbe enters the patient’s body, it begins to multiply with the formation of a large amount of toxic substances. The spread of infection occurs mainly along the nerve fibers, resulting in damage to the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis causes swelling of the brain

With serous meningitis, there are no blood or pus in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is typical for other types of this pathology.

Transmission of the disease is carried out mainly by aerogenic means. Particles of saliva and other biological secretions of the patient in the form of droplets hang in the air and are swallowed by a healthy person. A weakened immune system cannot adequately respond to infection, resulting in a clinical picture with general intoxication.

Existing varieties of the disease

Classification of meningitis depending on its origin:

primary (the disease arose independently in an initially healthy body);
secondary (forms against the background of an existing infection and is its complication: tuberculosis, syphilis, HIV).

Varieties of the disease according to the type of pathogen:

Serous meningitis develops against the background of infection with pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses or fungi). In a person with a strong immune system, the disease is mild or does not become infected at all. Factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease include:

malignant or benign formations of various organs;
colds (flu, ARVI);
infectious pathologies (rubella, scarlet fever, syphilis, HIV, tuberculosis, diphtheria);
inflammatory processes (colitis, enteritis, gastritis, cystitis);
immune deficiencies, primary and secondary;
living in an environmentally unfavorable region with air, water and soil pollution;
work in hazardous enterprises (contact with heavy metals, radiation);
frequent stress;
alcohol and nicotine abuse;
taking narcotic drugs.

Main clinical manifestations of serous meningitis

The incubation period of the pathology ranges from 2 to 12 days. Often the disease develops acutely, with a predominance of symptoms of intoxication and weakening of the body. As it progresses, the patient's condition worsens. The main manifestations of serous meningitis include:

rise in body temperature to 39 degrees;
change in behavior (aggression, inadequate response to external factors);
chills and heavy sweats at night;
the presence of copious mucous discharge from the nose;
the formation of rashes on the skin surrounded by a halo of hemorrhage;
sleep disorders;
excruciating headaches with nausea and vomiting;
photophobia;
hypersensitivity to sound stimuli and smells;
loss of appetite and refusal to eat;
forced position (cocked position);
soreness of the bones of the skull and spine when palpated;
change in pupil size;
violation of orientation in time, space, self;
decreased hearing, vision and smell;
loss of sensation;
increased muscle tone (inability to straighten a limb).

Photo gallery: main symptoms of the disease

Changes in pupil size observed with brain damage Intense headache is the first sign of meningitis The appearance of a rash indicates a generalization of the process

Features of the disease in infants

The course of the pathological process in a child differs significantly from the development of serous meningitis in an adult. Due to the weakness of the immune system, the baby’s body is unable to fully activate defense mechanisms: this is why the disease begins with a pronounced intoxication syndrome. Infants' body temperature rises to 39–40 degrees, they refuse to eat and sleep constantly. Possible development of nausea and vomiting, a negative reaction to light in the form of crying. An unfavorable prognostic sign is the formation of febrile seizures - uncoordinated spontaneous twitching of the limbs and head.

Due to dehydration and a deficiency of mineral elements, the baby's large fontanelle, the hole between the bony plates of the skull, sinks. Such a patient must be urgently hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Recession of the fontanel is a sign of dehydration

An important clinical sign is the symptom of hanging: a newborn baby is taken under the arms and lifted. With the development of meningitis, a rise of the legs bent at the knee joints towards the chest is observed.

The hanging symptom is positive in the development of meningitis in an infant

Video: Elena Malysheva talks about the symptoms of the disease

Methods for diagnosing serous meningitis

If infection is suspected, the patient should seek help from a neurologist. To begin with, the doctor conducts a general examination, assessing the person’s condition. Serous meningitis is characterized by an increase in heart rate (tachycardia), an increase in blood pressure and body temperature. When you try to lower your chin to your chest, you feel a sharp pain in the neck area. Next, the doctor evaluates the following symptoms:

The leg of the patient lying on his back is bent at the knee and hip joint. If pain is observed when trying to extend and straighten a limb, this indicates a meningeal infection.
The doctor places his hands on the patient's symphysis pubis and applies pressure. The occurrence of unpleasant sensations is a sign of the development of the disease.

Such tests are not 100% informative and are only of an additional nature. In my practice, I had to deal with the fact that a patient also experienced pain when pressing on the symphysis pubis, but it was associated with a recent spinal injury. One of the junior residents regarded this symptom as a sign of meningitis and began specific treatment. This led to the development of gastrointestinal dysbiosis in the victim.

It is necessary to differentiate the disease with the following pathologies:

encephalitis;
traumatic brain injury (hematoma, concussion, hemorrhage);
malignant neoplasm;
cysts and benign tumors.

Methods for diagnosing serous meningitis:

How is serous meningitis treated?

Treatment of the disease is carried out in the neurological department of the hospital. In case of a mild form of the disease without massive damage to the nervous system, the course of treatment takes from 2 to 6 weeks and includes mainly antimicrobial medications; in more severe cases, recovery may take up to a year. Patients are prescribed a special diet high in proteins, vitamins and minerals to restore energy costs. During rehabilitation, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and massages are actively used: they help achieve results even in those patients who have spent a long time bedridden.

The main goals of treatment for serous meningitis are:

elimination of pain syndrome;
prevention of secondary purulent complications;
protecting the brain from the damaging effects of toxins;
strengthening the immune system;
normalization of water-salt balance.

Drug therapy for the disease

All drugs are divided into symptomatic and etiotropic. The former allow you to cope with the clinical manifestations of the disease, and the latter affect the cause that caused it. Almost all medications are prescribed in the form of injections for intravenous and intramuscular administration, as well as in the form of droppers, which facilitates the availability of pharmaceuticals.

Do not forget that serous meningitis can be eliminated only by addressing the cause that caused it. One of the patients in the neurology department at my hospital was hospitalized with serious life-threatening complications. On the recommendation of one of his friends, he began to take antibacterial drugs on his own, while his meningitis was caused by a virus. As a result of improper therapy, the disease continued to progress, and the man did not go to the hospital. After feeling suffocated and emergency hospitalization, a diagnosis was made and specific treatment began.

Drugs for etiotropic therapy:

Antivirals prevent the growth and development of these pathogens. The most effective medications are Acyclovir, Ganciclovir, Foscarnet, Bonafton, Megosin, Cycloferon, Vidarabine, Remantadine, Viferon, Immunal.
Antibiotics cause the death of various bacteria and speed up their elimination from the body. For this purpose, doctors prescribe Amoxiclav, Augmentin, Carbenicillin, Cephalexin, Keflex, Rocephin, Fortum, Caten, Meronem, Tienam, Primaxin, Tetracycline.
Antituberculosis drugs are used for meningitis of tuberculous etiology. These include Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Saluzide, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Cycloserine, Capreomycin.
Fugaricidal drugs are used if the causative agent of the disease is a fungus. Doctors prescribe Nystatin, Levorin, Griseofulvin, Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Naftifine, Ketoconazole, Nitrofungin, Natamycin.

Photo gallery: medications for etiotropic treatment of serous meningitis

Nystatin causes the death of fungi Amoxiclav inhibits the growth of bacteria Acyclovir destroys viruses

Medicines to eliminate symptoms of the disease:

Detoxification therapy helps restore lost fluids and removes harmful breakdown products from the body. For this purpose, Reabmerin, Glucosolan, Disol, Trisol, Acesol are used.
Diuretics are prescribed to remove excess water from the body and prevent cerebral edema. These include Furosemide, Torasemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Mannitol, Urea, Lasix, Spironolactone.
Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the severity of pain and relieve discomfort. For this purpose, Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Cortef, Dexamethasone are prescribed.

Photo gallery: medications for symptomatic therapy

Dexamethasone relieves inflammation Furosemide removes excess fluid from the body Reopoliglucin restores water-salt balance

Possible consequences and complications of serous meningitis

Any infectious disease causes significant harm to the body. During their life, microbes release toxins that damage various tissues and cells, which causes the development of secondary complications. Undesirable consequences often occur in vulnerable groups of the population: children, adolescents, pregnant women and the elderly. The likelihood of complications developing is influenced by the patient’s health status, his weight, the duration of therapy, and the patient’s compliance with the doctor’s recommendations.

Diabetes mellitus significantly complicates the treatment of serous meningitis. With this metabolic disorder, a large amount of glucose accumulates in the body, which damages the wall of blood vessels. They become more brittle and fragile, and the patient develops a tendency to form blood clots. In my practice, I met a man who was treated for serous meningitis due to diabetes mellitus. The patient had to significantly reduce weight and constantly monitor his diet to avoid complications.

Undesirable consequences of serous meningitis include:

Paralysis and paresis of the upper and lower extremities. If during an illness the nerve plexuses of the spinal cord and parts of the brain are affected, the conduction of impulses to the tissues is disrupted. The patient loses the ability to control his arms and legs, and the sensitivity of the limbs decreases. Damage to the facial nerve leads to drooping of the eyelid, raising of the corner of the mouth and the formation of various grimaces. The rehabilitation period and restoration of functions takes from six months to several years.
Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Due to inflammatory edema, the choroid plexus begins to produce a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid, which is not excreted. The patient's head becomes enlarged and deformed, and he experiences severe pain. To treat this complication, surgery is used to install a shunt that drains fluid into the natural cavities of the body.
Damage to sensory organs. Often, patients with serous meningitis have decreased hearing and sharply decreased visual acuity. This is directly related to the effect of microbes and their toxins on the nerves of the same name.

Photo gallery: possible complications of serous meningitis

Facial paralysis leads to the formation of grimaces Deafness due to meningitis is predominantly irreversible Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain

How to protect yourself from developing the disease

Prevention of infections and their complications is one of the most important tasks of domestic medicine. To this end, doctors regularly develop plans to vaccinate the population and conduct lectures and seminars on serous meningitis and its consequences. Patients can receive complete and detailed information about the disease, as well as choose the optimal method of protection for themselves.

During my internship in one of the foreign hospitals, I happened to find myself in the midst of a meningitis epidemic. 40% of the patients were infected, as a result of which the medical facility had to be closed for quarantine. For the purpose of prevention, all students, residents, doctors and nurses were vaccinated against meningococcal infection to reduce the risk of infection. As a result of the implementation of measures to treat sick patients and compliance with the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, it was possible to prevent a re-outbreak of the pathology. Within a week, the medical staff of the clinic completely eliminated the consequences of the disease.

The rules for individual prevention of serous meningitis include:

consume only natural products without the addition of harmful chemical additives, flavor enhancers and dyes;
drink more fluids;
give up alcohol, smoking and drugs;
take medications only as prescribed by a doctor (especially cytostatics, antibiotics and hormones);
dress according to weather conditions and do not get too cold;
maintain a rational work and rest schedule;
engage in sports activities and lead an active lifestyle;
Donate blood, urine and feces once every six months to assess the general condition of the body;
undergo medical examinations with a therapist or pediatrician;
perform all vaccinations according to the vaccination calendar (in the absence of any contraindications);
strengthen your immune system: hardening and vitamins will help you with this;
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, try to immediately consult a doctor;
If you have been in contact with a patient suffering from meningitis, consult an infectious disease specialist.

Mening is an extremely dangerous pathology that poses a threat to the life and health of every person. Without timely treatment, the disease can be fatal. The disease is prone to recurrence in patients with weakened immune systems: this is why doctors advise following the rules of prevention throughout life.

Serous meningitis is a rapid lesion of the membranes of the brain, which is characterized by a serous inflammatory process, the causative agent of which can be viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Moreover, in 80% of clinical cases, viruses are considered to be the culprits of inflammation. This serious disease mainly affects preschool children aged 3-6 years; also, symptoms of serous meningitis appear somewhat less frequently in schoolchildren; meningitis of viral origin is extremely rarely recorded in adults.

Like meningitis of other etiologies, serous meningitis is characterized by general meningeal symptoms, such as nausea, severe headache, and repeated vomiting. Distinctive features of the viral origin of serous meningitis are the very abrupt onset of the disease, consciousness is slightly impaired, such meningitis does not last long and has a favorable outcome.

Based on the clinical picture of the patient’s condition, the results of a PCR study and the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, a diagnosis of serous meningitis is established. Treatment of patients with this type of meningitis is based on symptomatic and antiviral therapy - painkillers, antipyretics, antiviral drugs. If the etiology of meningitis is not clear, and the child’s condition worsens, then broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed to affect all potential pathogens.

Serous meningitis - causes

Most often, acute serous meningitis is caused by enteroviruses - ECHO viruses, Coxsackie viruses, less often the cause of serous meningitis can be the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Bar virus), virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza, adenoviruses, herpetic infection, measles (see.

Serous meningitis can be not only viral, but also bacterial (with tuberculosis, syphilis), and sometimes fungal. A typical bacterial infection is purulent (meningococcal meningitis). Serous meningitis is a typically viral variant.

Recently, outbreaks of viral serous meningitis among children caused by various enteroviruses have become more frequent, so we will look at viral serous meningitis, symptoms and treatment in children, and modes of transmission of this disease.

Serous inflammation can cause swelling of the brain. In this case, the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is disrupted, and cerebral edema provokes an increase in intracranial pressure. Unlike bacterial purulent meningitis, the serous form of inflammation does not lead to massive exudation of neutrophils and brain cells do not die, which is why viral serous meningitis is considered less dangerous, it has a favorable prognosis, and there are no serious complications.

Routes of infection and incubation period of serous meningitis

The incubation period, as a rule, for viral serous meningitis is 2-4 days. Depending on the type of pathogen, the routes of infection with serous meningitis are as follows:

Airborne transmission

Serous meningitis is transmitted by airborne droplets when the pathogen is localized in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. When coughing or sneezing, infectious agents, being in the air in the form of an aerosol, enter the body of a healthy person with contaminated air.

Contact path

In this case, the pathogen is localized on the mucous membrane of the eyes, in the oral cavity, on the skin, on the surface of wounds, and when it gets from these parts of the body onto various objects, it settles on them. A healthy person, through contact either with the skin of a patient or with infected objects if susceptible to the pathogen, can become infected. Therefore, dirty hands and unwashed fruits, vegetables and poor personal hygiene are risk factors for the occurrence of serous meningitis.

Water route of infection

Serous meningitis has recently often caused outbreaks of epidemics in the summer. It has been established that enteroviruses that cause some types of serous meningitis are transmitted through water, therefore, during the swimming season, seasonal outbreaks of meningitis are recorded in children swimming in reservoirs infected with enteroviruses (see)

The peak incidence of serous meningitis occurs in the summer; it affects the immune-unprotected part of the population - preschoolers and children of primary school age, as well as people with an immunodeficiency state or weakened after other serious illnesses. Moreover, the danger to others is posed not only by an already ill person, but also by carriers of the virus that causes meningitis.

Symptoms of viral serous meningitis in children and adults

After the incubation period, serous meningitis manifests itself with striking symptoms - pronounced meningeal syndrome from the 1st or 2nd day of illness:

Fever is an obligatory sign of serous meningitis, body temperature rises to 40C, then after 3-4 days it can decrease, and after a while it rises again, as if two waves of high temperature occur. But with mild meningitis, this does not always happen.
A painful headache accompanies the patient constantly, it begins from the temples, intensifies with eye movements, sudden noise and bright light. This kind of headache is difficult to relieve with painkillers and.
Children may experience limb cramps, general irritability increases, and children become capricious and whiny.
Characterized by a state of general weakness, malaise and intoxication syndrome, in which pain in the muscles and joints appears.
Nausea, repeated vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain and diarrhea are also symptoms of serous meningitis in children.
Often, in addition to meningeal symptoms, children also exhibit symptoms of ARVI - sore throat, runny nose, cough.
Increased sensitivity of the skin, eyes, hearing with painful perception of sharp sounds, bright light, noise, touches. The patient feels much better in a darkened, quiet room. In this case, the child lies on his side in bed, his knees are pressed to his stomach, his head is thrown back, his hands are pressed to his chest.
In infants, the fontanelle bulges and becomes tense, Lesage's symptom or the hanging symptom appears - when lifting the child up, holding it under the armpits, the child pulls his legs towards his stomach and bends them.
With viral serous meningitis, there are mild disturbances of consciousness, such as drowsiness or drowsiness.
Possible damage to the cranial nerves (difficulty with swallowing, diplopia, strabismus); there may also be disorders of motor activity (paralysis, paresis) .
When examining a child with serous meningitis, the symptoms are expressed in excessive tension of the neck muscle group, their rigidity, that is, the inability to bring the chin to the chest. There are also several meningeal symptoms such as:
- Kernig's sign is the inability to straighten a leg bent at a right angle.
- Brudzinski's symptom: lower - if one bent leg is straightened, this leads to reflex flexion of the second leg, upper - if the head is bent, the legs involuntarily bend.
Viral serous meningitis passes relatively quickly; by 3-5 days the temperature is restored, only in rare cases there is a second wave of fever. The duration of serous meningitis in children is usually 1-2 weeks, with an average of 10 days.
If severe disturbances of consciousness occur - coma or stupor, a re-examination should be carried out and the diagnosis reconsidered.

All these symptoms of serous meningitis can be expressed to varying degrees, to a lesser or greater extent; in very rare cases, these signs can be combined with generalized damage to other organs. You should know that the symptoms of serous meningitis are very similar to the meningeal form of tick-borne encephalitis, which also has a seasonal occurrence and is recorded in the summer, affecting both adults and children.

Treatment of serous meningitis in children

If there is any suspicion of meningitis, you should immediately call an ambulance and hospitalize the child. Since serous meningitis is most often caused by viruses, the use of antibiotics in these situations is not advisable. However, in some cases they are prescribed for unclear diagnoses.

When treating serous meningitis in children with a viral origin of the disease, antiviral drugs are prescribed - interferon. For meningitis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus or herpes, Acyclovir is prescribed.
Patients with weakened immune systems, as well as infants, require nonspecific and specific antiviral therapy, and intravenous administration of immunoglobulin is indicated.
Dehydration is of utmost importance for reducing intracranial pressure, therefore diuretics are prescribed - Lasix, Furosemide, Aztazolamide.
Colloids (hemodez, albumin) are not advisable due to the high risk of heart failure.
Antispasmodics are indicated -
Intravenous administration of isotonic saline solutions is indicated to reduce intoxication; prednisolone (one dose) and ascorbic acid are added to the saline solution.
To relieve headaches and reduce intracranial pressure, therapeutic lumbar punctures are performed.
At temperatures above 38C, antipyretics are used -,.
For convulsions in children, Seduxen or Domosedan is prescribed.
Patients are advised to rest, bed rest is recommended, and it is best for them to be in a darkened room.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed because some meningococcal meningitis occurs as serous, even in the cerebrospinal fluid there are signs of serous meningitis. But thanks to timely antibiotic therapy, the bacterial process does not fully develop with serious consequences (cerebral edema, hemorrhages in the adrenal glands).
Also, the complex treatment of serous meningitis includes vitamin therapy, especially vitamin C, cocarboxylase, B2, B6.
Oxygen therapy - oxygen treatment - is indicated as an auxiliary therapy.
Nootropic drugs - Glycine, Pirocetam.
Other drugs for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system (Inosine + Nicotinamide + Riboflavin + Succinic acid).

With timely and adequate treatment, serous meningitis in children, unlike purulent ones, is benign, short in duration and rarely causes complications.

Prevention of serous meningitis in children

During outbreaks of serous meningitis, it is not advisable for adolescents and young children to swim in open water.
You should always drink only specially purified or boiled water, especially in the summer.
Observe personal hygiene rules, wash your hands thoroughly with detergents after using the toilet and immediately before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, and if possible, pour boiling water over berries and fruits.
Teach children from childhood to lead a healthy lifestyle, provide them with a balanced diet, teach them to play sports, and engage in hardening. Monitor and do not allow your child to spend a long time in front of the TV and at the computer, this increases visual stress, increasing the stress state of the body, which naturally reduces immunity. A child should have a full, sound sleep of at least 10 hours a day; an hour's sleep during the day is especially valuable not only for children, but also for teenagers too.
As one of the types of prevention of serous meningitis, you should be attentive to any viral disease of the child, chickenpox, measles, mumps, etc. Reduce contact with ticks and rodents as much as possible, since they are considered carriers of viruses.

Despite the 5-day fever and severe headaches, the prognosis for serous meningitis is most often favorable, and most children recover quickly.

Serous meningitis is one of the serious diseases of the brain, characterized by inflammation of its membranes. Usually the cause is a viral infection or the proliferation of bacterial and fungal flora, but most of the recorded cases of this disease were caused by viruses. Most often it is recorded in children of primary school and preschool age.

It usually begins with symptoms characteristic of purulent inflammation of the meninges - nausea and vomiting, headache. The main difference between this form of the disease and all others is that inflammation develops sharply, but does not become a violent clinic. Rather, it occurs in a mild form, without disturbing the clarity of consciousness and passes without meningeal complications.

The diagnosis is established by clinical manifestations and bacteriological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, PCR analysis.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the pathogen and alleviating the general condition - prescribing painkillers, antipyretics, and antivirals. If, according to the treatment plan, the patient’s condition does not stabilize, additional antibacterial drugs belonging to broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.

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ICD-10 code

A87.8 Other viral meningitis

Causes of serous meningitis

The causes of serous meningitis can be very diverse. Based on their form, they distinguish between primary and secondary. With primary inflammation, the painful condition is an independent process. With a secondary manifestation, it occurs as a complicated course of an existing disease of an infectious or bacterial nature.

Symptoms of serous meningitis

Symptoms of serous meningitis at an early stage are similar to a cold - fatigue, irritability, passivity appear, the temperature rises, and an unpleasant, raw sensation in the throat and nasopharynx. At the next stage, the temperature jump occurs - it rises to 40 degrees, the condition worsens, a severe headache appears, accompanied by dyspeptic disorders, muscle spasms, and delirium. Key manifestations of inflammation:

positive reaction with Brudzinsky's test;
"brain" vomiting;
impaired muscle activity of the limbs, difficulty swallowing;
significant hyperthermia - 38-40 degrees.

On days 5-7 from the onset of the disease, the symptoms may become weaker and the fever decreases. This period is the most dangerous, since if treatment is interrupted at the first sign of recovery, meningitis may develop again. A relapse is especially dangerous, as it can be accompanied by severe, persistent brain damage and pathologies of the nervous system. The nature of the pathogens can be confirmed using virological and serological examination of blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

The incubation period of serous meningitis lasts from the moment the pathogen enters the nasopharyngeal mucosa until the first signs of the disease appear. This can take a period of time from two to five days, but the timing largely depends on the nature of the pathogen and the resistance of the person’s immune system. In the prodromal stage, the disease is manifested by a decrease in general tone, headaches, a slight increase in temperature and the course is more similar to ARVI. In the incubation stage, a person is already a carrier of the pathogen and releases it into the environment, therefore, when the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to isolate everyone who had contact with the patient as soon as possible.

But very often, serous inflammation of the brain begins acutely - with high fever, vomiting, and almost immediately characteristic symptoms of inflammation of the meninges appear:

the appearance of stiffness in the neck muscles;
positive reaction with the Kernig test;
positive reaction with Brudzinski's test.

The prognosis is generally favorable, but in rare cases there are complications - visual impairment, hearing impairment, and persistent changes in the central nervous system. The first days after confirmation of the diagnosis, increased levels of lymphocytes are observed. A few days later - moderate lymphocytosis.

How is serous meningitis transmitted?

Inflammation of the meninges or meningitis develops rapidly. The main reason is representatives of the enterovirus group. You can easily become infected or become a carrier of the virus in the following situations:

Contact infection. Bacteria and microorganisms enter the body with dirty food - fruits and vegetables with dirt particles, when drinking water that is not suitable for drinking, and when personal hygiene rules are neglected.
Airborne infection. Infectious agents enter the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx upon contact with an already sick person or a carrier of the virus. Most often, pathogens are first released by patients into the environment, and then settle on the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa of a healthy person.
Water route of infection. Possible when swimming in dirty waters, when the risk of ingesting contaminated water is high.

Serous inflammation of the lining of the brain is especially dangerous for children in the first year of life - during this period, exposure to infectious agents has such a detrimental effect on the children's brain and nervous system that it can cause mental retardation and partial impairment of visual and auditory functions.

Acute serous meningitis

It develops when enteroviruses enter the body, as well as viruses that cause mumps, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, herpes simplex type 2, and tick-borne encephalitis. With the viral etiology of this disease, a bacteriological examination of blood and spinal fluid will not give positive data; the manifestation of lymphocytic pleocytosis is diagnosed, the content is slightly higher than normal.

The clinical picture of the disease differs from the picture of the purulent form. The course of the disease is milder, manifested by headaches, pain when moving the eyes, spasms in the muscles of the arms and legs (especially flexors), positive Kernig and Brudzinski symptoms. In addition, the patient is bothered by vomiting and nausea, pain in the epigastric region, against the background of which physical exhaustion develops and photophobia develops. Persistent disturbances of consciousness, epileptic attacks, focal lesions of the brain and cranial nerves are also not recorded.

Acute serous meningitis does not cause severe complications and is easily treated, recovery occurs on the 5-7th day of illness, but headaches and general malaise can last from several weeks to several months.

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Secondary serous meningitis

Meningoencephalitis occurs with concomitant viral conditions caused by mumps virus, herpes virus, etc. Most often, the cause of this process is mumps. It manifests itself like acute meningitis - the temperature rises, severe pain in the head, eyes water from the light, nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach. The main role in diagnosing confirmation of damage to the meninges is played by a positive Kernig and Brudzinsky reaction, accompanied by stiffness of the neck muscles.

Serious changes are recorded only in moderate and severe forms of the disease, but in general, the secondary form of inflammation of the meninges goes away quite easily. More severe cases are characterized by a proliferative phenomenon not only of the salivary glands and meninges, but also by pancreatitis, inflammatory processes in the testicles. The course of the disease is accompanied by fever, basic brain symptoms, dyspeptic disorders, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and sometimes a runny nose. After 7-12 days, with a mild course, the general condition improves, but for another 1-2 months a person can be a carrier of the pathogen and pose a danger to others.

Viral serous meningitis

It is considered one of the most common uncomplicated forms of this disease. Caused by coxsackie viruses, mumps, herpes simplex, measles, enteroviruses and sometimes adenoviruses. The onset of the disease is acute, beginning with a sharp increase in temperature, painful sensations in the throat, sometimes a runny nose, dyspeptic disorders, and muscle spasms. In severe cases - clouding of consciousness and diagnosing stupor, coma. Signs of meningeal syndrome appear on the second day - rigidity of the neck muscles, Kernig syndrome, Brudzinski syndrome, increased blood pressure, very severe headaches, cerebral vomiting, pain in the abdomen. The analysis of spinal fluid shows a pronounced form of cytosis and many lymphocytes.

The prognosis for almost all adults with viral non-purulent inflammation of the meninges is favorable - complete recovery occurs in 10-14 days. In just a few cases of the disease, survivors suffer from headaches, hearing and vision disorders, poor coordination and exhaustion. Children in the first year of life may develop persistent developmental dysfunctions - minor mental retardation, lethargy, decreased hearing and vision.

Enteroviral serous meningitis

This is a type of meningitis caused by the Coxsackie and ECHO viruses. It can be either a single recorded case of infection or it can be in the nature of an epidemic. Most often, children become infected with it in the summer and spring, and the epidemic spreads especially quickly in communities - in kindergartens, schools, and camps. You can become infected from a sick person or child, as well as from a healthy carrier; this type of inflammation of the meninges spreads mainly through airborne droplets or when hygiene rules are not followed.

After the viral agent enters the body, within a day or three the first signs appear - redness and swelling of the pharynx, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal pain and diffuse pain, and a rise in temperature. The disease moves to the next stage when the pathogen penetrates directly into the blood and, spreading through the bloodstream, concentrates in the nervous system, which leads to an inflammatory process in the lining of the brain. At this stage, meningeal syndrome becomes pronounced.

The course of the disease in general dynamics rarely entails severe complications. On the second or third day, the brain syndrome disappears, but on days 7-9 of illness, the clinical symptoms of serous inflammation may return and the temperature may also rise. In children under one year of age, the process is sometimes accompanied by the formation of inflammatory foci of the meningeal membranes of the spinal cord and persistent damage to the central nervous system.

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Serous meningitis in adults

It proceeds quite easily and does not cause serious complications. Its causes are viral agents, bacteria and fungi; primary inflammation of the meninges is caused by the Coxsackie virus, Echo enterovirus. Secondary cases are caused by the virus that causes polio, mumps, and measles.

In adulthood, viral inflammation occurs in an uncomplicated form, but this does not mean that this form does not require treatment. The onset is similar to a cold - headache, swollen throat, muscle pain and dyspeptic symptoms, meningeal syndrome and, in severe cases, convulsions. By the end of the first week of illness, the temperature is fixed at a normal level, muscle spasms and headaches are not disturbing. This stage requires special observation, since the likelihood of relapse increases, and the first signs of pathologies of the central nervous system and intracranial nerves may appear.

The most effective way to identify the pathogen is a serological and bacteriological analysis of blood and spinal fluid, PCR. After this, specific antibacterial and antiviral treatment is prescribed in combination with antipyretic, antiemetic, analgesic and sedative drugs.

Serous meningitis in adults is treatable, and the earlier it is started, the lower the risk of the disease returning and developing complications.

Serous meningitis in children

It is more severe than in adults and, if not treated promptly, can lead to serious complications. The incubation period lasts about 2-4 days; those who attend events with large concentrations of children of different ages - school and preschool institutions, clubs, various sections, camps - get sick more often. The root cause of the disease are viruses that cause measles, mumps, herpes, various enteroviruses, etc. At first, inflammation of the lining of the brain is similar to other forms of meningitis - it also suffers from severe headaches, dyspeptic disorders, and cerebral syndrome manifests itself. The main difference between the viral form and others is the sudden, acute onset of the disease, with relatively clear consciousness.

The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and analysis of spinal cerebrospinal fluid. After determining the nature of the pathogen, a treatment plan is prescribed - for a viral etiology, a course of antiviral drugs is prescribed, if other pathogens are identified, antibiotics and antifungal drugs are prescribed. In addition to eliminating the cause of inflammation of the meninges, therapeutic measures are aimed at alleviating the general condition - for this, antipyretic, analgesic, antiemetic, and sedative medications are prescribed.

Serous meningitis in children ends quite quickly and without complications, but is dangerous for babies in the first year of life.

Complications of serous meningitis

Complications of serous meningitis for an adult pose minimal danger, but for children in the first year of life they are especially dangerous. Most often, the consequences of inflammation of the meninges make themselves felt when the course is aggravated, due to unqualified drug therapy or non-compliance with medical prescriptions.

Disorders that occur during severe inflammatory pathology of the meninges:

Impaired functioning of the auditory nerve - hearing loss, dysfunction of motor coordination.
Weakening of visual function - decreased acuity, strabismus, uncontrolled movements of the eyeballs.
Decreased vision and motor activity of the eye muscles are completely restored, but persistent hearing impairment is mostly irreversible. The consequences of meningeal pathology suffered in childhood later manifest themselves in intellectual delay and hearing loss.
Development of arthritis, endocarditis, pneumonia.
Threat of strokes (due to obstruction of cerebral vessels).
Epileptic seizures, high intracranial pressure.
Development of cerebral and pulmonary edema, leading to death.

If you seek qualified medical help in a timely manner, severe systemic changes can be avoided and there will be no relapses during treatment.

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Consequences of serous meningitis

The consequences of serous meningitis, subject to treatment and proper rehabilitation after recovery, are expressed only in half of all cases of the disease. Basically, they manifest themselves in general malaise, headaches, decreased memory and memorization speed, and sometimes involuntary muscle spasms appear. In complex forms, the consequences will be more serious, including partial or complete loss of the ability to see and hear. Such violations are observed only in isolated cases and with timely organized drug therapy this can be easily avoided.

If the disease proceeded as a complicated course of another disease, then the person who had been ill will be more concerned about the problems that were associated with the root cause. Regardless of what form a person is ill with (primary or secondary), treatment measures should begin immediately. Basically, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral drugs are used for this, as well as a complex of drugs for symptomatic therapy and alleviation of the general condition.

After suffering a pathological condition, a person requires special care and gradual recovery - this is a vitamin nutrition program, moderate physical activity and activities aimed at the gradual restoration of memory and thinking.

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Diagnosis of serous meningitis

Diagnosis is carried out in two directions - differential and etiological. For etiological differentiation, they resort to the serological method - RSC, and the neutralization reaction also plays an important role in isolating the pathogen.

As for the distinctive diagnosis, its conclusion depends on clinical data, epidemiological summary and virological conclusion. When diagnosing, pay attention to other types of disease (tuberculosis and inflammation of the meninges caused by influenza, mumps, polio, Coxsackie, ECHO, herpes). Due attention is given to confirming meningeal syndrome:

Rigidity of the neck muscles (the person cannot touch the chin to the chest).
Positive Kernig test (with the leg bent at 90 degrees at the hip and knee joint, a person cannot straighten it at the knee due to hypertonicity of the flexors).
Positive result of the Brudzinski test.

Consists of three stages:

A person cannot press his head to his chest - his legs are pulled towards his stomach.
If you press on the area of the pubic fusion, the legs bend at the knees and hip joints.
When checking the Kernig symptom on one leg, the second involuntarily bends at the joints simultaneously with the first.

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Liqueur for serous meningitis

Liqueur in serous meningitis has an important diagnostic value, since the nature of its components and the results of bacteriological culture can make a conclusion about the causative agent of the disease. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by the ventricles of the brain; normally its daily volume is no more than 1150 ml. To take a sample of biomaterial (CSF) for diagnosis, a special manipulation is performed - lumbar puncture. The first milliliters obtained are usually not collected because they contain blood. The analysis requires several milliliters of CSF collected in two test tubes - for general and bacteriological examination.

If there are no signs of inflammation in the collected sample, then the diagnosis is not confirmed. With non-purulent inflammation, leukocytosis is observed in the punctate; the protein is usually slightly elevated or normal. In severe forms of pathology, neutrophilic pleocytosis is recorded and the content of protein fractions is significantly higher than acceptable values; when punctured, the sample flows out not drop by drop, but under pressure.

Liquor not only helps to accurately differentiate from other forms of this disease, but also to identify the pathogen, severity, and select antibacterial and antifungal drugs for therapy.

Differential diagnosis of serous meningitis

Differential diagnosis of serous meningitis is aimed at a more detailed study of the patient’s medical history, current symptoms and serological conclusion. Despite the fact that the meningeal complex is characteristic of all types of inflammation of the meninges, in some of its forms significant differences are observed. With a viral etiology, general meningeal manifestations may be mild or absent altogether - moderate headache, nausea, pain and cramping in the abdomen. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is characterized by violent symptoms - severe headaches, repeated cerebral vomiting, a feeling of squeezing in the head, pressure on the eardrums, pronounced spasm of the neck muscles, a pronounced Kernig and Brudzinsky sign; during a lumbar puncture, cerebrospinal fluid flows out under pressure.

The pathological process caused by the polio virus is accompanied by signs characteristic of this disease - Lasegue, Amossa, etc. During EMS, cerebrospinal fluid flows out under slight pressure. Often the disease is accompanied by nystagmus (due to damage to the medulla oblongata).

The tuberculous form, unlike the serous one, develops slowly and occurs in people suffering from chronic tuberculosis. The temperature rises gradually, the general condition is sluggish and depressed. Spinal puncture contains a lot of protein, the presence of Koch's bacillus is determined, and the collected material is covered with a specific film over time.

Differential diagnosis is mainly based on virological and immunological examination of CSF and blood. This provides the most accurate information about the nature of the pathogen.

Treatment of serous meningitis

Treatment of serous meningitis requires special attention. Depending on what tactics will be taken in the first days of the disease, the further prognosis of medical prescriptions depends. Drug therapy for non-purulent inflammation of the meninges is carried out in a hospital - this way the person receives the necessary care and can observe all changes in well-being and carry out the necessary diagnostic manipulations.

Prescription largely depends on the severity of pathological changes, the nature of the pathogen and the general condition of the patient. According to the study of CSF and PCR, specific therapy is prescribed - for the viral form, these are antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, etc.), for the bacterial form, broad-spectrum antibiotics or specific antibacterial drugs (Ceftriaxone, Meropenem, Ftivazid, Chloridine, etc.), and also antifungal (Amphotericin B, Fluorocytosine), if the identified pathogen belongs to the group of fungi. Measures are also being taken to improve the general condition - detoxification medications (Polysorb, Hemodez), painkillers, antipyretics, antiemetics. In some cases, when the course of the disease is accompanied by high blood pressure, diuretics and sedatives are prescribed. After complete recovery, a course of rehabilitation is carried out, including exercise therapy, myostimulation, electrophoresis, and psychorehabilitation is also required.

Treatment can be carried out at home, but only if the disease is mild, and the patient’s well-being and compliance with the principles of medication prescriptions are monitored by an infectious disease specialist.

Treatment of serous meningitis in children requires special attention and a responsible attitude towards compliance with all medical prescriptions. In childhood, this disease is often accompanied by complications; it is especially dangerous for babies in the first year of life, when the consequences are persistent and can cause mental retardation, hearing loss, and poor vision.

Most of the recorded cases of non-purulent inflammation of the meninges are caused by viruses, so antibacterial therapy does not give the desired result. Acyclovir, Arpetol, Interferon are prescribed. If the child’s condition is severe and the body is weakened, immunoglobulins are administered intravenously. In case of significant hypertension, diuretics are additionally prescribed - Furosemide, Lasix. In severe forms, when the disease is accompanied by severe intoxication, glucose, Ringer's solution, Hemodez are injected intravenously - this promotes the adsorption and elimination of toxins. For severe headaches and high blood pressure, a spinal tap is performed. The rest of the treatment measures are symptomatic - antiemetics, painkillers, antipyretics, and vitamins are recommended.

Treatment, subject to the doctor's instructions, ends with recovery after 7-10 days and is not accompanied by long-term complications.

Prevention of serous meningitis

Prevention of serous meningitis is aimed at preventing the causative agent of this disease from entering the body. General preventative rules should include:

Measures prohibiting swimming in polluted water bodies in the summer and autumn.
Drink only boiled, purified or bottled water from certified wells.
Careful preparation of products for cooking, proper heat treatment, washing hands before eating and after visiting crowded places.
Maintaining a daily routine, maintaining an active lifestyle, quality nutrition according to the body’s expenses. Additional use of vitamin complexes.
During a seasonal outbreak, avoid attending mass performances and limit your circle of contacts.
Carry out regular wet cleaning of the premises and treatment of the child’s toys.

In addition, the serous form of inflammation of the meninges can be secondary, which means that it is necessary to promptly treat chickenpox, measles, mumps, and influenza. This will help eliminate the risk of inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, both in adults and in children. You should not neglect preventive rules, because it is easier to prevent infection than to treat it and recover from complications associated with it.

Prognosis of serous meningitis

The prognosis of serous meningitis has a positive trend, but the final result largely depends on the state of the patient’s immune system and the timing of seeking medical help. Non-purulent changes in the membranes of the brain most often do not cause persistent complications, are quickly treated and do not relapse on days 3-7 of the disease. But if the root cause of tissue degeneration is tuberculosis, without specific drug treatment the disease is fatal. Treatment of the serous form of tuberculous meningitis is protracted and requires inpatient treatment and care for six months. But if the instructions are followed, residual pathologies such as weakening of memory, vision and hearing disappear.

In childhood, especially in babies under one year of age, a non-purulent form of inflammation of the meninges can cause serious complications - epileptic seizures, visual impairment, hearing impairment, developmental delays, low learning ability.

In rare cases, after an illness, adults develop persistent memory disorders, decreased concentration and coordination, and regularly experience severe pain in the frontal and temporal parts. The disorders persist from several weeks to six months, after which, with proper rehabilitation, complete recovery occurs.