Meningitis in children

How to recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children

Meningitis is an infectious disease accompanied by inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Characteristic features are rapid development and severity of symptoms. The first signs of meningitis include a severe headache, nausea, dizziness, hyperesthesia and vomiting, which does not bring relief. Both adults and children can get meningitis. The incubation period of viral meningitis is two to four days.

Ways of disease transmission:

• household;
• air-droplet;
• lymphogenic and hematogenous;
• placental;
• fecal-oral.

The peak of the disease is from November to April. Contributing factors are a lack of vitamins in the body, sharp fluctuations in temperature, insufficient ventilation in rooms and hypothermia.

Classification and causes of purulent meningitis

According to the classification, meningitis can be:

• viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, rickettsial (depending on the causative agent);
• serous, purulent, mixed (according to the nature of inflammation);
• light, heavy, medium heavy (according to the degree of progress);
• acute, subacute, rapid (according to the speed of development);
• limited, diffuse (by prevalence);
• primary, secondary.

The causes of purulent meningitis are meningococcal infection, pneumococci, hemophilic bacillus, etc. Haemophilus bacillus is the cause of the disease in half of the cases, pneumococcus in 13%, and meningococcus in 20%.

How to recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children

Meningitis in babies can occur at any age. The incubation period usually lasts from 24 to 72 hours and depends on the general condition of the child. Among the main symptoms are a severe headache, nausea, vomiting that does not bring relief, weakness, a rise in temperature up to 38 degrees and above. Only a doctor will be able to make the correct diagnosis after a thorough examination of the baby and conducting a number of diagnostic examinations, which include microbiological and laboratory examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. It is extremely important to assess meningeal signs (upper and lower Brudzynski signs, stiffness of the occipital muscles). The pediatrician will tell you more about how to recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children during the consultation.

Rejecting the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, think about what risk you are putting your child's health at.

Forms of meningitis

The incubation period lasts from two to five days (rarely up to 10 days). Doctors distinguish several forms of the infectious process - bacteremia (asymptomatic course), meningococcal nasopharyngitis, meningitis, meningococcemia, combined form.

Bacteremia is an asymptomatic form characterized by the presence of a virus in the body, which does not manifest itself in any way. There is no medical treatment for meningitis in adults.

Meningococcal nasopharyngitis. Typical local manifestations are a runny nose, nasal congestion, and a sore throat. Subfebrile temperature, general weakness is possible. After a week, the person recovers or becomes a carrier of the bacteria.

Meningitis is a severe form of the disease with characteristic symptoms. The clinical manifestations and consequences of infectious meningitis will be discussed in more detail later.

Meningococcemia (the causative agent enters the blood) is a clinical form with typical and atypical symptoms. A characteristic symptom is a rash with bacterial meningitis.

Combined – the most severe form with manifestations of meningitis and meningococcemia.

On our website https://dobrobut.com/ you can find information about meningitis prevention through vaccinations and make an appointment with the right specialist.

How to recognize meningitis in a child - symptoms

At the initial stage, it is easy to confuse the symptoms of meningitis with the symptoms of a cold or flu. It:

• headache;
• general weakness;
• muscle pain;
• loss of appetite;
• high temperature.

However, characteristic manifestations in the form of a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, which does not bring relief, confusion of consciousness, stiffness of the occipital muscles are added during the day.

How to recognize meningitis in a child? Babies up to a year may experience convulsions, diarrhea, repeated vomiting, swelling and pulsation of the head of the head. The child refuses to eat, is fussy and cries.

Diagnosis of serous meningitis

Diagnosis is made after examination of the patient, assessment of meningeal signs, taking into account the results of additional studies. Among them:

• research of cerebrospinal fluid;
• general blood analysis, biochemistry;
• MRI and CT;
• electroencephalography, electromyography;
• serodiagnosis.

In the diagnosis of serous meningitis, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid is important.

Treatment

Treatment of meningitis should be comprehensive and carried out by a qualified specialist in hospital conditions. The treatment scheme consists of bed rest, infusion therapy, antibiotic therapy, the appointment of antiviral (antifungal) drugs and symptomatic treatment.

Symptomatic treatment: prescription of anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, painkillers.

Prevention of meningococcal infection is very important

Vaccines against meningococcal infection protect against the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis and sepsis. There are several types of vaccines: conjugate, which provide long-term protection, and polysaccharide, which are used less often. Vaccination is recommended for children, adolescents and people at increased risk of infection. Vaccines are safe, effective and help prevent serious complications of the disease.

Forecast

Timely consultation with a doctor, accurate diagnosis and qualified assistance are the key to full recovery and restoration of health.

If you still have questions, contact our center. The doctor will tell you how meningitis is transmitted and what can be done to prevent it.