Meningitis in Children, These Are the Symptoms and Prevention

Not only adults, meningitis can also attack children. In order to be treated immediately, recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children early.

Meningitis is an infection that attacks the lining of the brain caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms.

Of course, this disease can be dangerous for your little one if it is not handled and treated properly.

Therefore, Parents, let’s recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children and how to treat it.

Meningitis in Children

Parents should know the various symptoms of meningitis in children that can endanger their safety.

This disease attacks when the body is in a bad condition.dropor low immunity. If not treated quickly and properly it can be fatal.

In adults, we can recognize the symptoms of meningitis based on the complaints suffered. However, in young children or toddlers, with their limited ability to communicate, it is certainly difficult to do so.

In general, the symptoms caused by meningitis in both adults and children are relatively the same.

For example, experiencing high fever, stiff neck, decreased consciousness, seizures, nausea, vomiting and so on.

It’s just that in toddlers, these symptoms are often ignored because parents are unaware of the condition their child is experiencing.

Sometimes, a child just seems more cranky than usual and doesn’t seem well.

Symptoms of Meningitis in Children

Before determining the right treatment, it is important to know the signs that appear in children. Here are some symptoms of meningitis in children that may be felt:

• The fontanel (the soft, smooth spot on top of a baby’s head) bulges in a 6-month-old baby.
• Pain in the legs (a child cries or screams every time his feet are touched can be an indication of pain in that part of the leg).
• The child’s feet and hands feel cold.
• Skin color becomes abnormal (not normal).

Causes of Meningitis

Meningitis is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection that moves into the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).

CSF is a fluid that protects and lines the brain and spinal cord. Fungi or parasites can also cause meningitis. This is more common in children with weakened immune systems.

There are differences in the impact between meningitis caused by viruses and bacteria.

If the disease is caused by a virus, the condition is more common and usually not too severe.

Viruses that can cause meningitis include poliovirus, mumps virus (paramyxovirus), flu virus, and West Nile virus.

Meanwhile, bacteria that can cause meningitis include group B streptococcus, E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and strep bacteria that cause pneumonia . 

Meanwhile, bacterial meningitis tends to cause more severe symptoms and can even cause long-term complications and death. 

Syphilis, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease bacteria can also cause meningitis. The bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause meningitis usually grow in a person’s respiratory tract.

A child may not have any symptoms of meningitis at all, but he or she may be carrying the organism in his or her nose or throat. The disease can spread through:

• Close contact with someone carrying the infection
• Touching an infected object, such as a doorknob, hard surface, or toy, and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes
• Droplets from sneezing, close conversation.

Infection usually begins in the respiratory tract. In children, the first symptoms are a cold, sinus infection, or ear infection.

Next, these viruses or bacteria can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain and spinal cord.

Diagnosis of Meningitis

When checking with a doctor, the doctor will usually ask about your little one’s medical history.

Then, a physical examination will be carried out to determine the cause of the symptoms that arise.

Some other tests that will also be carried out include:

• Blood test to determine the possible presence of bacteria in your little one’s body.
• CT scan or MRI is a scan of the head area to see if there is any swelling or inflammation.
• Spiral tap is a method used by doctors to take fluid from around the spinal cord to determine the cause of meningitis.

Treatment for Meningitis

Treatment for meningitis will depend on the cause of the meningitis itself.

Once your child has been diagnosed by a doctor, the doctor may suggest several types of treatment based on the type of meningitis they have. Here are some of them:

Bacterial Meningitis

If your little one experiences meningitis due to bacterial infection, usually the doctor will provide treatment and medication with antibiotics. The doctor will give a prescription according to the condition and severity of meningitis.

Viral Meningitis

Meningitis caused by viruses usually goes away on its own without treatment. However, it certainly depends on the condition and severity of the patient.

If the case is mild, the doctor will ask your child to rest completely, drink lots of water, and take painkillers and fever relievers.

Fungal Meningitis

Fungal meningitis is usually treated with antifungal medication prescribed by your doctor. Your child will likely receive IV antifungal medication.

Tuberculous Meningitis (TB)

If the meningitis your child experiences is due to tuberculosis, your child will be treated with medication for 1 year.

Treatment is done with several drugs for the first few months. This is followed by other drugs for the remaining time.

As your child recovers from meningitis, he or she will need:

• Total rest ( bed rest )
• Increased fluid intake by mouth or IV fluids in the hospital
• Fever and headache medications. Do not give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children under 19 years of age unless directed by a doctor.
• Supplemental oxygen or a breathing machine (respirator) if your child has difficulty breathing

Prevention of Meningitis in Children

Prevention of meningitis in toddlers can be done by vaccination and maintaining the child’s immune system from disease attacks, whether caused by the herpes simplex virus, streptococcus bacteria or cryptococcus fungus.

Even though our country is not an endemic area, that is, an area where meningitis is developing rapidly, vaccination should still be given, especially if we plan to take our toddlers traveling abroad.

Consult your doctor about the right vaccines for your toddler. Some types of vaccines include:

• H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine PCV13
• Pneumococcal vaccine PPSV23
• Meningococcal vaccine.

Tell your doctor which country/area you are going to as the types of vaccinations needed may be different.

Complications Due to Meningitis

Quoted from kidshealth , meningitis complications caused by bacteria may require extra care.

A person with low blood pressure may need more IV fluids and medications to raise blood pressure.

Some children even need extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation if they have trouble breathing.

Complications of bacterial meningitis include neurological problems, such as hearing loss, vision problems, seizures, and learning disabilities.

Because hearing loss is a common complication, children who have bacterial meningitis should have a hearing test after recovery.

The heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands may also be affected, depending on the cause of the infection.

Although some children experience long-term neurological problems, most who receive a diagnosis and treatment quickly recover fully.

Medical Treatment for Meningitis in Children

Seek immediate medical attention if your child shows any of the following symptoms:

• Vomit
• Headache
• Fatigue or confusion
• Stiff neck
• A rash appears
• Fever

If your child is around someone who has meningitis, call your doctor right away to ask about preventive treatment.

Parents, recognize the symptoms of meningitis in children above so that children can immediately get the right treatment. Hopefully the review above is useful.

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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia