(http://www.infopenyakit.com/2007/12/penyakit-meningitis.html)
Meningitis adalah peradangan yang terjadi pada meninges, yaitu membrane atau selaput yang
melapisi otak dan syaraf tunjang. Meningitis dapat disebabkan berbagai organisme seperti virus,
bakteri ataupun jamur yang menyebar masuk kedalam darah dan berpindah kedalam cairan otak.
Pasien yang diduga mengalami Meningitis haruslah dilakukan suatu pemeriksaan yang akurat,
baik itu disebabkan virus, bakteri ataupun jamur. Hal ini diperlukan untuk spesifikasi
pengobatannya, karena masing-masing akan mendapatkan therapy sesuai penyebabnya.
5. Bakteri lainnya yang juga dapat menyebabkan meningitis adalah Staphylococcus aureus dan
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tanda dan Gejala Penyakit Meningitis
Gejala yang khas dan umum ditampakkan oleh penderita meningitis diatas umur 2 tahun adalah
demam, sakit kepala dan kekakuan otot leher yang berlangsung berjam-jam atau dirasakan
sampai 2 hari. Tanda dan gejala lainnya adalah photophobia (takut/menghindari sorotan cahaya
terang), phonophobia (takut/terganggu dengan suara yang keras), mual, muntah, sering tampak
kebingungan, kesusahan untuk bangun dari tidur, bahkan tak sadarkan diri.
Pada bayi gejala dan tanda penyakit meningitis mungkin sangatlah sulit diketahui, namun
umumnya bayi akan tampak lemah dan pendiam (tidak aktif), gemetaran, muntah dan enggan
menyusui.
Adapun beberapa antibiotik yang sering diresepkan oleh dokter pada kasus meningitis yang
disebabkan oleh bakteri Streptococcus pneumoniae dan Neisseria meningitidis antara lain
Cephalosporin (ceftriaxone atau cefotaxime). Sedangkan meningitis yang disebabkan oleh
bakteri Listeria monocytogenes akan diberikan Ampicillin, Vancomycin dan Carbapenem
(meropenem), Chloramphenicol atau Ceftriaxone.
Treatment atau therapy lainnya adalah yang mengarah kepada gejala yang timbul, misalnya sakit
kepala dan demam (paracetamol), shock dan kejang (diazepam) dan lain sebagainya.
Pemberian Imunisasi vaksin (vaccine) Meningitis merupakan tindakan yang tepat terutama
didaerah yang diketahui rentan terkena wabah meningitis, adapun vaccine yang telah dikenal
sebagai pencegahan terhadap meningitis diantaranya adalah ;
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cerebritis.htm
Cerebritis is an inflammation of the cerebrum, a structure within the brain which performs a
number of important functions, including most of the things which people associate with being
human, such as memory and speech. People with cerebritis can experience symptoms such as
slurred speech, confusion, nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, mood changes, and memory
problems. This inflammation requires treatment because it can result in damage to the brain
which may lead to impairments for the patient.
One reason to have cerebritis is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or other organisms.
Infections can occur when infectious agents enter the brain through the sinuses or as a result of
trauma. Some pathogens are also capable of passing over the blood-brain barrier and entering the
brain through the bloodstream, despite the fact that the body has evolved defenses which are
specifically designed to prevent this.
Another cause of cerebritis is lupus, in which the body's immune system goes haywire and the
body starts to attack itself. Many lupus patients develop vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood
vessels, and this can occur in the brain as well. Sometimes other autoimmune disorders can also
lead to cerebritis. Because cerebritis is a recognized risk with lupus, people with lupus who
develop neurological symptoms are usually encouraged to seek prompt treatment so that medical
intervention can occur in a timely fashion.
In the beginning, cerebritis usually involves clogging of the blood vessels and swelling of the
brain's tissues. If the inflammation is allowed to persist, necrosis can start to set in because parts
of the brain are cut off from their blood supply. In the case of an infection, an abscess may
develop, and the infection can spread to areas of the brain which were not originally affected
with cerebritis.
A neurologist can evaluate a patient with suspicious symptoms and order medical imaging
studies of the head to see if they provide insight into what might be happening inside the brain. If
the studies reveal cerebritis, the doctor can prescribe treatments based on the cause and the
patient's medical history. For infections, it is necessary to kill the organisms causing the
infection. For inflammation, steroids can be used to bring down the swelling. If the swelling
appears to have increased to a dangerous level, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the
brain. The formation of an abscess also calls for surgery as it will be necessary to drain the
abscess.