Been cold … It could be meningitis!

Number of patients with viral meningitis, culminating in July

[한국스포츠경제=김지영 기자] It's easy to think that when l & # 3939; summer is cold and the heat is rising, it is often cold or cold. .

Meningitis is widely divided into viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis, depending on the cause of the disease.

Viral meningitis is caused by the onset of the disease Early symptoms resemble fever, so it's easy to misunderstand a summer cold. When you have viral meningitis, you have a high fever and a severe headache. Severe vomiting and diarrhea are also accompanied.

The main cause is the enterovirus, one of the enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are widespread from late spring to early fall (May to September). For this reason, meningitis begins to peak in late June and peaks in July. In adults, it can heal naturally in 7 to 10 days, but neonatal or immunocompromised people can die.

Bacterial meningitis is more common in children than in the past, but is common among adults after vaccination. It is less common than viral meningitis, but it is lethal at a mortality rate of 10 to 30%. The first symptoms are similar to viral meningitis. Neurological changes such as stiffness of the neck or ritual confusion also occur.

Song Joon-young, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Korea Hospital in Guro, said: "Headaches and fever persist during the hot summer months . "It is necessary to suspect meningitis if it becomes possible." Above all, infants who do not have good expressions should go to the hospital and get a diagnosis immediately if the fever exceeds 38 degrees. "Adults who have frequent contact with children should also be treated if they have high fever and headaches."

Hygiene Complete personal hygiene, the best preventative measure

Prevent Meningitis is the most important Among the bacterial meningitis, pneumococcal meningitis and meningococcal disease can be prevented by vaccination, but viral meningitis is not vaccinated separately.

Enterovirus is released from the gastrointestinal tract

In particular, from June to July, when viral meningitis is rampant, it is important to wash your hands and feet properly after discharge, we must strictly observe the rules, and avoid any contact with patients with fever, diarrhea or rash.

Professor Song Joon-young said, "The main cause of viral meningitis is Enteritis, which is common in hot and humid summer infants and young children. "It is necessary to carefully manage personal hygiene, including health and safety."

Kim Ji-young reporter [email protected]
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