Meningitis can also mean hearing loss!
Meningitis is a dangerous disease, the consequences of which can include hearing loss or deafness. Causes, symptoms, prevention - and why it is important to act quickly.
Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the meninges and spinal meninges. There are many possible causes: bacteria, viruses, fungi or complications of some diseases.
Meningitis can have a threatening and rapid acute course, and can even be life-threatening or result in severe neurological sequelae.
While other neurological consequential damage cannot or can hardly be rehabilitated, cochlear implants can restore hearing to the deaf ear. However, this also requires haste after meningitis.
Meningitis can have many causes
The causes of meningitis include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacterial meningitis is particularly dangerous and life-threatening. Vaccinations can provide reliable protection against the most important pathogens:
- Meningococcus: included in the free vaccination program for school children
- Pneumococcus: included in the free children's vaccination program, recommended before CI surgery
- Haemophilus influenzae type b, HiB for short: part of the free 6-way vaccination for infants
- Varicella vaccination (wet leaf pox/chicken pox): recommended, but subject to a charge.
- Mumps: part of the free MMR vaccination for children
- FSM: regular vaccination recommended
Recognize meningitis
In adults or schoolchildren, some of the typical symptoms of meningitis are sometimes reminiscent of severe flu: stiff neck, high fever, confusion, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Meningitis is particularly dangerous for small children and infants. The signs mentioned are often not easily observable in them. Instead, they show Unwillingness to drink, apathy, increased sleeping, shrill crying, seizures or bulging fontanels.
If meningitis is suspected, immediate medical help is always important!
Even after meningitis: hearing loss as a consequence!
Even with successful treatment, serious complications cannot be ruled out in the course of meningitis: neurological damage, including hearing loss and even deafness. Those affected have to live with most of this neurological damage without adequate treatment.
If meningitis destroys hearing, a cochlear implant can restore it. However, as there is a risk of ossification of the inner ear after meningitis, a quick decision and implementation is important for the successful restoration of hearing.
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