In neurological and meningeal disorders, it is essential to clearly distinguish between two major groups: encephalitis and meningitis. Encephalitis involves pathogens that directly attack the brain tissue, with common causes being enteroviruses or the virus responsible for Japanese encephalitis.
Meningitis is caused by pathogens attacking the membranes surrounding the brain, and only in severe cases does it affect the brain itself.
Be Aware of Four Types of Diseases
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| Meningitis treatment for children at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: TTO) |
Currently, it is the hot season, which is also a peak time for certain neurological and meningeal diseases.
Neurological – meningeal disorders due to infections are inflammatory conditions of the brain tissue or the meninges, or both, caused by viruses or bacteria. These are serious conditions that can lead to death or long-term complications if not detected and treated promptly.
Fortunately, the incidence of these diseases is low, about 1-5 per 100,000 people. Not everyone exposed to the pathogens will contract the disease.
Depending on the cause, neurological and meningeal infections have specific names as follows:
Japanese Encephalitis is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus. It is transmitted through mosquito bites and is commonly found in rural areas.
Enterovirus Encephalitis is caused by enteroviruses attacking the brain, with enterovirus type 71 being the most dangerous.
Meningitis or sepsis caused by meningococci is a rapidly fatal illness if it presents in an acute form.
HIB meningitis is caused by the HIB bacteria, which are very common in young children, especially those under 3 years old. There are also other less common pathogens that can lead to neurological and meningeal disorders.
Easily Recognizable Symptoms
Each year, Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City admits 900 – 1,000 children with neurological and meningeal disorders. In 2005 alone, there were 897 cases of neurological and meningeal disorders, including 300 cases of encephalitis and 597 cases of meningitis. |
Symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis in severe stages often resemble each other, with neurological symptoms such as lethargy, agitation, tremors, seizures, and coma.
Before severe symptoms appear, there may be signs such as fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, cough, or diarrhea. In infants under 12 months, meningitis may present with a bulging fontanelle.
In addition to neurological symptoms, depending on the cause, patients may exhibit other accompanying symptoms. For instance, encephalitis caused by enterovirus 71 often presents with vesicles on the palms, soles, buttocks, knees, and ulcers in the mouth.
If the disease is caused by meningococci, petechiae or necrotic spots may appear on the skin. Rapidly spreading necrotic areas are a sign that the condition is very severe.
To detect neurological and meningeal disorders early, it’s best to closely monitor for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and headache in children. If vesicles appear on the palms or soles, or if there are necrotic spots, a consultation with a specialist is recommended.
Additionally, if neurological signs such as lethargy, agitation, tremors, seizures, or coma occur, it is crucial to take the child to the hospital immediately. Be aware that these symptoms will worsen over time.
Multiple Preventive Measures
To prevent neurological and meningeal disorders, various measures should be taken, depending on the type of disease. For Japanese encephalitis, the best approach is to eliminate mosquitoes and use mosquito nets for sleeping. For enterovirus encephalitis, it is vital to maintain hygiene, particularly washing hands before eating.
Vaccination is also crucial, but one vaccine can only protect against one type of neurological and meningeal disorder. Currently, Vietnam has vaccines for Japanese encephalitis and HIB meningitis, both of which are highly effective in prevention.
For meningitis caused by meningococci, only vaccines for types A and C are available, and their effectiveness is limited. Thus, to prevent this disease, maintaining environmental hygiene and early identification of the first case are fundamental, allowing for proactive preventive measures for surrounding individuals through medication.
Dr. TRUONG HUU KHANH (Children’s Hospital 1)
