At least 55 cases of bacterial meningitis have been registered in the republic since the beginning of the year. The Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision reported.
The department recalled that meningococcal infection is an acute infectious disease caused by meningococcus, transmitted by airborne droplets. The source of infection is a sick person, infection occurs through close contact and communication at close distance. The disease is characterized by seasonality, more often registered in the winter-spring period (from December to May).
«The incubation period lasts from one to ten days, with an average of two to three days. At the beginning of the disease, due to the similarity with acute respiratory diseases, many people do not seek medical help and self-medicate, which leads to a complication and a severe course of the disease,» the department said.
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- Strong headache;
- Repeated vomiting that is not associated with food intake and does not bring relief;
- Increase in body temperature to 39-41 degrees;
- Chills, lethargy, pale skin, refusal to eat and drink;
- Appearance of a rash.
The disease is dangerous because it can develop in a matter of hours and even minutes, the so-called fulminant forms. One of the reasons for the severity of the condition of patients is the late seeking medical help and self-treatment at home.
Experts warn that if symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help and not self-medicate.
