Time is of the essence in the reduction of the risks of neurological sequelae caused by meningitis
Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. When an infection affects the brain, this is called a meningoencephalitis. This disease derives from a viral infection, but there are also cases of bacterial, parasite and mycotic infections.
"I love my Doctor, I feel a great connection with him, as he has been helping me deal with my neurological sequalae or, as I call them, my brain scars from the start", says Ester González Velasco, a patient of the Neurology Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital, who is being treated by Specialist Antonio Miguel Carra Vélez, following a severe case of meningoencephalitis.
Ester’s history goes back to 2020, when her life changed radically as a result of a meningitis. "I had a meningitis that developed into meningoencephalitis and left me severe neurological sequelae. I did not have specific medical guidance for several months until I was lucky enough to find Doctor Carra, who prescribed me the adequate medication and, since then, has been monitoring my evolution, as we must be constantly on the watch due to my irreversible brain damage. ", she explains.
After Ester was struck with this condition, she has been left with multiple consequences such as aphasia, a language disorder that makes it hard for her to express herself through language or to understand or write texts. Additionally, she also suffers from neurosensorial hypoacusis, ringing in the internal ears, total loss of the sense of smell and taste, lack of a feel of hunger or thirst, sudden increase and decrease of blood pressure, insomnia, strong headaches … In summary, a complex medical condition that has led her to absolute disability turning her life upside down; however, one that she has managed to face with her best smile. "My own personal experience has made me realise the general lack of awareness about neurological conditions. People associate brain conditions with Alzheimer, senility, depression and little more … However, I would like to give visibility to all the pathologies that exist and to the people who suffer them, which are a large percentage of the population".
With this purpose in mind, Ester has promoted a conference at the Conference Centre of Marbella under the name "Life after a brain change", where she will present her own story together with members of the main associations of neurological conditions, such as the Spanish Association against Meningitis and Hola que tal Afasia [Aphasia Association] amongst others. The event will be held on 20th of May at 11.00 AM. If you would like to have more information on this event, please contact Ester on her social media, @cerebroestersinh, where you can find all the activities leading to raising awareness and disseminating the information on the neurological sequelae she and other patients suffer.
Meningitis and early diagnosis
Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. When an infection affects the brain, this is called a meningoencephalitis. This disease derives from a viral infection, but there are also cases of bacterial, parasite and mycotic infections. Meningoencephalitis can happen to anyone at any age, although it is more frequent in children under 5 years of age and adults. According to the data of the Spanish Meningitis Association, it is estimated that 12,000 people are affected by meningitis every year in Spain. Two thousand of them would be bacterial meningitis and 10,000 would be viral. The World Health Organisation estimates that meningitis affects 2,500,000 people every year.
"Time is very valuable in these types of pathologies. An early diagnosis within the first few hours from the onset of the symptoms is decisive to prevent severe sequelae and irreversible brain damage" marks Doctor Antonio Miguel Carra Vélez. Our expert of the Neurology Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital highlights the most frequent warning signs of the presence of this condition. "Sudden high fever, neck stiffness, intense headache (different from a normal headache), nausea or vomiting, confusion or difficulty to concentrate, seizures, sleepiness, lack of appetite or thirst, sensitivity to light, skin rash. If these symptoms appear, it is important to refer immediately to your medical centre.", explains.
