How much does meningitis treatment cost?

In addition to the time and method of treatment, the cost of meningitis treatment is also information that many people are interested in. This article will help you find out.

Meningitis is a condition in which the membranes surrounding the central nervous system are infected by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc. What concerns people is not only the symptoms, severity, risk of recurrence but also the cost of meningitis treatment. This article will help you get the most complete answer. 

What is meningitis and what causes it?

The human brain is made up of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the soft membrane. The meninges have the function of covering and protecting the brain, spinal cord and cranial nerves. This membrane when infected will cause meningitis.

The main causes of meningitis include: 

• Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib): This is the main cause of meningitis in children 1 to 3 years old and occurs mainly in unvaccinated children. The disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract, the incubation period is about 10 days and the mortality rate in the early days is quite high. 
• Streptococcus pneumoniae: This is the main cause of death in children under 5 years of age. Treatment of pneumococcal meningitis is increasingly difficult due to antibiotic resistance.
• Meningococcal bacteria Neisseria meningitidis: This bacterium can cause various diseases in the nervous system, respiratory tract, joints, pericardium, eyes, etc. However, the most common clinical form is sepsis and purulent meningitis . The disease often has a sudden onset and early symptoms are very similar to the flu, so it is often confused. The typical symptom of meningococcal disease is a rash that appears about 1-2 days after fever and is concentrated mainly on the extremities.
• Cryptococcus neoformans: Also a rare cause of meningitis. This fungus attacks the body through open wounds and the respiratory tract. 

The cost of treating meningitis sometimes also depends on the causative agent

Methods of diagnosis of meningococcal disease 

Patients will be diagnosed with meningitis by specialized tests. Commonly used diagnostic methods include: 

• Cerebrospinal puncture method: Through the collected cerebrospinal fluid sample, doctors will determine the causative agent, the sensitivity of the pathogen to the treatment drugs and the patient's inflammatory status. . 
• Blood test method: This method helps to assess the level of infection through basic blood indicators. In some cases, to find out the cause of the disease, the patient is prescribed a blood culture. 
• MRI, CT: This method helps doctors diagnose complications caused by meningitis. 
• Biopsy: This test helps doctors diagnose a skin rash or a meningitis rash. 

Cerebrospinal puncture to find the causative agent of meningitis

How is meningitis treated?

The duration, method and cost of meningitis treatment depend on the causative agent, the severity of the disease, the complications that have appeared and the underlying medical condition that the patient has. 

• Depending on the cause of the disease is bacteria, virus or fungus, the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment. The use of the drug should also be based on the susceptibility of the causative organism. Some antibiotics are given through an infusion or intravenous route. 
• Some diuretics are used to reduce pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid system and reduce tissue edema.
• When a patient has symptoms of fever, pain, vomiting, etc., it is necessary to use appropriate symptomatic treatment drugs such as antipyretics, analgesics, antiemetics, etc.
• The treatment of meningitis is complicated and requires more drugs if the patient develops complications, has underlying medical conditions, or is resistant to antibiotics.

Cost of meningitis treatment

Meningitis can be cured with antibiotics, but these are expensive antibiotics. Many people are interested in the cost of meningitis treatment because the treatment regimen can last 2-3 weeks, even months. The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the disease, but usually ranges from 50 million to 100 million VND. Severe cases can cost up to several hundred million dong. 

Besides, meningococcal disease can completely recur . There are many different causes of the disease. Having been infected once does not mean that the patient's body is immune enough to fight other pathogens. Treating meningitis is often not easy. There are cases where the patient's family is financially exhausted. Therefore, preventive measures are always promoted. 

Treatment of meningitis in most cases is expensive

Prevention of meningitis

Measures that each person should take to prevent meningococcal disease include: 

• Keep personal hygiene, keep the place of residence and workplace clean.
• Minimize sharing personal belongings of others or allowing others to share your belongings. 
• Need to protect yourself by wearing a mask, wear gloves if you have to come into contact with a person suspected of having or a patient with meningitis. This is extremely important because this is a respiratory disease.
• A weakened immune system, respiratory diseases create favorable conditions for viruses and bacteria to invade and cause disease. Therefore, each person needs to focus on strengthening immunity by diet, exercise and scientific activities. 
• When there are any suspicious symptoms, we should immediately go to the hospital for diagnostic tests. 
• Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is essential to reduce the risk of infection by 90%. Currently, in Vietnam, there are two types of meningococcal vaccines commonly used: meningococcal BC vaccine (costs 250,000 - 350,000 VND/dose) and meningococcal vaccine ACYW (costs 250,000 to 350,000 VND/dose) and meningococcal vaccine ACYW . from 1,250,000 - 1,500,000 VND / nose). 

Compared with the cost of treating meningitis , the cost of vaccination is much cheaper. Vaccines are also clinically tested and proven for safety and effectiveness. Everyone should actively vaccinate against meningitis to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community.