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Children's Health
Meningitis
 Meningitis is a
serious infection or inflammation of the meninges or membranes of the brain or
spinal cord. Meningitis can be classified according to organisms which causes
the infection like bacteria (bacterial meningitis), viruses (viral meningitis),
fungi (fungal) etc. and also according to the membranes effected. Bacterial or
acute meningitis is the most severe form which is commonly caused by three types
of bacteria such as Meningococcal (Neisseria meningitidis), Haemophilus influenzae
type B and Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae).
Meningococcal
meningitis is the more common meningitis among children under 4 years with greatest
risk for babies about six months of age and young adults in the age group of 15-20
years. The bacteria inhabits the back of the throat and mouth and is spread by
coughing and sneezing. Only some people who are exposed to the bacteria are susceptible
to infection while others become carriers of the bacteria but remain well.
Symptoms
The incubation period
for meningitis is usually between two and five days and may be up to 10 days.
Symptoms may include:
A high-pitched cry, refusal of feeds, vomiting and convulsions
are the signs
of meningitis in infants.
Infants can become severely
ill with in a few hours and there should be no delay in seeking medical attention.
The bacteria enters the blood stream and multiplies at a very high rate releasing
toxins that causes the onset of early symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, lethargy
followed by severe symptoms as illness progresses very rapidly.
Adverse
effects
Bacterial meningitis can prove fatal with in
a short span of time. Meningococci bacteria can cause Septicaemia (blood poisoning)
along with meningitis. Septecaemia can cause damage, inflammation and disintegration
of the walls of the blood vessels leading to bleeding or fall in blood pressure
and the development of shock. Patients who do recover from the disease, occasionally
has the risk of long term brain damage, hearing loss, mental retardation, occurrence
of fits etc.
Diagnosis
Early
diagnosis is based on symptoms. A lumbar puncture or spinal tap to obtain a sample
of cerebrospinal fluid will be done for confirming the infection and to find out
the causative organism. The type of bacteria responsible for infection should
be identified to give the correct Antibiotics treatment.
Treatment
Recovery
from the infection is more likely if treatment begins early in the course of the
disease. If meningitis is suspected, immediate hospitalisation and a broad spectrum
antibiotic, usually penicillin injections effective against the common meningitis
bacteria is given even before the test results are known. Further treatment is
based on the causative bacteria responsible. In addition patient will be
isolated and measures to control fever and pain, lots of fluid and electrolyte
replacement therapy will be given. People who are in close contact with
the patient are also recommended to take oral antibiotics (one dose or a very
short course) to prevent further spread.
A vaccine is available
for meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenza type B (hib) and this is normally
given to babies along with dpt vaccination at 2, 3 and 4 months. Vaccines are
also there for meningococcal (for one strain of the bacteria) and Pneumococcus
bacterial infections. But this is not effective for the group which is most at
risk i.e. children below 2 years. The pneumococcal meningitis is the most common
type of meningitis in adults so pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all persons
over 65 years of age and younger persons with certain chronic medical problems.
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