It is fortunate that most kids in the US who suffer from meningitis are affected by its viral form which is much milder than the bacterial one. Since parents of children do not know whether a dangerous bacterial strain is responsible or a harmless virus, they should immediately consult a qualified doctor.
The doctor can find out the causative organism by doing a spinal fluid test.
The blood brain barrier normally protects the brain from meningitis. However, once the barrier breaks, the infection which spreads through blood then affects the meninges, the protective covering over the brain. It also affects the cerebrospinal fluid. Inflammation is the primary cause of swelling and discomfort in an infected child.
Types
Viral meningitis usually is the commoner of the two forms and also the milder. It symptoms usually subside on their own in about two weeks. Treatment is not required. On the other hand bacterial meningitis occurs in epidemic form in the winter months and can be life threatening.
The most prominent bacterial meningitis strains include Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus Pneumoniae. They together form the biggest meningitis scourge for children today in the US. Earlier, it was Haemophilus influenzae type b which affected children under the age of 6 years.
However, with large scale implementation of vaccination programs in place, it is no longer a significant threat. Newborn infants are affected more by Streptococcus (group B) and E.coli.
Symptoms
In young infants and little children, the symptoms of meningitis are hard to detect. A hint of meningitis is when your infant has fever, becomes irritable, is tired-looking, and hardly eats. Its fontanelle, the soft spot on the head may swell and there is an element of tautness associated with it. This is in contrast to the normally depressed condition that you will find the fontanelle in.
A child, who is older, appears to be withdrawn and unusually quiet for his age. He may have a stiff neck or severe headache, mental confusion, and fever. In meningitis, children are sensitive to bright light and prefer to remain in a dark room. They may feel like vomiting.
Bacterial meningitis manifests itself quite rapidly in children and its onset takes place usually within a few hours. The child immediately feels drowsy. Sometimes he/she may become unconscious. A deep purplish or red rash is found to appear in at least 50% of the cases.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent some bacterial strains of meningitis from affecting your child. Vaccination helps to ensure this. Moreover, it is important to vaccinate other members of the family in close contact of a child who is infected.
Treatment
A meningitis affected child has to undergo a number of exams and tests in the clinic. They include a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap to withdraw a little cerebrospinal fluid for testing, a chest x-ray, and urine analysis for signs of infection. Sometimes, serious complications may cause a CT (computerized tomography) scan to be taken. Acetominophen and ibuprofen are the two main medications used in treatment.
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