Experts advise Nghe An people not to panic about meningitis

From the beginning of April 2021 until now, about 130-150 children come to the clinic every day, 20-30 children are hospitalized due to viral meningitis syndrome at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Up to now, all cases have been well controlled by the hospital, no cross-infection, cured, discharged after 10-14 days of treatment. For people, especially young children, pregnant women, and the elderly facing infectious diseases, it is necessary to have proactive disease prevention measures and not be too panicked.

Patients with meningitis are usually completely cured after 7 - 10 days. Photo: Hoang Yen

Also this morning, April 20, in response to information about meningitis infection, a team of experts from the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) went to Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital to provide professional support, collect samples to send to the Central level, and monitor the disease infection situation.

At the meeting with experts, MSc. Dr. Vo Manh Hung - Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: In previous years, meningitis syndrome also appeared, but this year the number of patients has increased. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis. Less common causes are bacteria, fungi, parasites, and drugs.

The working group from Nghe An Center for Disease Control and Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital oriented treatment according to the regimen for viral meningitis.

The children who came to the Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for examination and treatment recently all had common symptoms of fever, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, especially in a family with 2-3 children suffering and having to be hospitalized. With epidemiological factors, symptoms, and supporting paraclinical test results (cerebrospinal fluid puncture, stool and blood tests), the working group from the Nghe An Center for Disease Control and Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital oriented treatment according to the viral meningitis protocol.

Viral meningitis is rarely fatal in people with normal immune systems. Symptoms usually last 7 to 10 days and are self-limiting and completely cured. To accurately identify the strain of virus causing the disease; the Provincial Center for Disease Control has collected samples (4 cerebrospinal fluid samples, 2 stool samples, 2 blood samples) to send to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing.

Viral meningitis needs to be detected and treated early; and can be proactively prevented by measures such as: improving the body's resistance by eating enough nutrients, supplementing vitamins and minerals appropriately. Everyone needs to keep their houses clean and airy; clean barns, spray chemicals to kill intermediate animals that cause the disease; practice personal hygiene regularly; wash hands regularly with soap; wear masks in public places. In schools, teachers and staff should avoid letting children share water cups and towels. When symptoms of severe headache, vomiting, and fever appear, patients should be taken immediately to medical facilities for timely examination, screening, and treatment.

During the past time, the hospital has not recorded any cases of cross-infection between pediatric patients and caregivers. Photo: Hoang Yen

Dr. Tran Van Cuong - Deputy Director of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: In the past, when hospitalized for treatment, all cases were treated by doctors and nurses with focused resources and the children were discharged in good health, without sequelae after 10-14 days. At the same time, the Hospital always maintains regular activities to ensure the criteria of a safe hospital in epidemic prevention as prescribed by the Ministry of Health in all locations, areas, and treatment departments. Therefore, in the past, the Hospital has not recorded any cases of cross-infection between pediatric patients and caregivers. The Tropical Diseases Department is arranged separately, isolated from other treatment areas; patients are required to wear masks to limit the source of infection through contact; limit family members from contacting and moving around the hospital premises; absolutely do not visit patients; ensure food and hygiene for children during treatment.

"For other infectious diseases in children such as hand, foot and mouth disease, chickenpox, etc., the Tropical Diseases Department also ensures separate treatment areas for each disease group. Hygiene and disinfection work in the hospital has been enhanced," said Dr. Tran Van Cuong.

Concluding the meeting, experts affirmed: People should not be too worried or panic; because right now, all measures to prevent and combat meningitis infection have been implemented synchronously, drastically and effectively by leaders of the health sector and Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

For agencies, units, localities and each individual, disease prevention with a spirit of caution, self-awareness and not panicking will contribute significantly to successfully controlling infectious diseases./.