TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Neurologist from the National Brain Center Hospital (PON Hospital) Prof. Dr. dr. Mahar Mardjono Jakarta, Adisresti Diwyacitta, emphasized that the public should immediately conduct an examination and not underestimate the symptoms meningitis or generalized inflammation of the lining of the brain.
“Meningitis symptoms at first are quite general, not typical and then vary so it is hoped that you can be more alert,” said Adisresti in the “Knowing Meningitis” talk show, Monday, October 4, 2021.
Adisresti explained that the symptoms of meningitis are similar to the common cold, so people often ignore it and don’t realize it immediately until the symptoms become severe. Some of the symptoms mentioned at first, the patient will experience a severe headache so vomiting and high fever that does not go away. Then there are changes in consciousness such as not communicating clearly, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
The loss of consciousness can occur due to infection in the tissue around the human brain caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, or parasites that enter the head, causing swelling and causing fluid that will increase the volume of pressure in the brain.
“The pressure inside brain that’s what is dangerous, can cause a decrease in consciousness and if not treated will cause death. That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said.
By looking at the possibility that it could endanger the patient’s life, he suggested an examination to the hospital for further diagnosis. Adisresti said that while in the hospital, the patient would be examined through monitoring since when the symptoms were felt, which would later be followed by a physical examination such as stiff neck.
“This neck stiffness when the neck is bent towards the chest, the patient will feel stiff and painful. Then we will do a blood test, there is also a lumbar puncture, to determine the diagnosis. That is, to determine the cause of meningitis and a CT-SCAN or MRI of the brain with contrast is also performed,” he explained, explaining the flow of the examination.
In further treatment, the patient will be given several drugs according to the symptoms that are still felt during the treatment period, such as headache medicine, fever reducer, antibiotics or antifungals, which are adjusted to the initial cause of meningitis.
Lastly, he hoped after recognizing symptomWith these symptoms, the public will immediately go to the nearest hospital to get further treatment before the symptoms become more severe.
“If you have a high fever that doesn’t go away, you have a severe headache that can lead to vomiting and loss of consciousness, immediately seek treatment from a doctor, don’t delay it,” he said.
Also read: Doctors Reveal How To Prevent Meningitis
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