JAKARTA, investor.id – Neurological Doctor from the National Brain Center Hospital (PON Hospital) Prof. Dr. dr. Mahar Mardjono Jakarta Adisresti Diwyacitta stressed to the public to immediately conduct an examination and not to underestimate the symptoms of meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) which are seen as common.
“Meningitis symptoms at first are quite common, not typical and then vary. So (the public) are expected to be more vigilant,” said Adisresti in the talk show “Knowing Meningitis” which was followed online in Jakarta, Monday (4/10).
Adisresti explained that the symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of the common cold, so people often ignore it and don’t realize it directly until the symptoms become severe.
Some of the symptoms mentioned are that at first, the patient will experience a severe headache so that he experiences vomiting and a high fever that does not go away. Then there are changes in the patient’s consciousness such as not communicating clearly, convulsions until loss of consciousness.
The loss of consciousness, he said, could occur due to an infection in the tissue around the human brain caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria or parasites that enter the head. Thus, causing swelling and causing fluid that will increase the volume of pressure in the brain.
“The pressure in his brain is what is dangerous, it 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 could endanger the patient’s life, he suggested to conduct 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. This means to determine the cause of meningitis and a CT-SCAN or MRI of the brain with contrast is also carried out,” he said, 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 that are adjusted to the initial cause of the meningitis.
Finally, he hopes, after the community recognizes these symptoms, the community will immediately conduct an examination 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, a severe headache, vomiting and loss of consciousness, immediately seek treatment from a doctor. Don’t procrastinate,” he said.
Editor : Imam Suhartadi ([email protected])
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