Baby prone to got meningitis because his immune system is still weak. If you don't get treatment right away, this disease has a high risk of causing the baby to have disabilities, developmental disorders, and even death. Therefore, recognize the sign meningitis in babies.
Meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, but the most dangerous is bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis is more at risk of attacking:
- Babies, especially those under two months old. At this age, their immune system is not well developed. As a result, bacteria can enter the bloodstream easily.
- Children who suffer from recurrent ear infections and sinusitis.
- Children with severe head injuries and skull fractures.
- Children who have recently had brain surgery.
- Infants and children born with HIV, a history of infection in the womb, and birth defects.
Signs of Meningitis in Babies
Symptoms of meningitis in infants vary, so each baby affected by this disease may experience different symptoms. Even so, there are signs of meningitis in infants that are common according to their age, namely:
Baby less than two months
At this age, signs of meningitis in infants can be difficult to detect. Therefore, immediately take him to the pediatrician or the nearest hospital if your little one has a fever, does not want or does not want to breastfeed, has shortness of breath, is lethargic, and seems cranky.
Babyage two months to two years
Meningitis most often affects children at this age. Symptoms include:
- Fever.
- seizures.
- Throw up.
- Decreased appetite.
- Fussy.
- He seems so sleepy that it's hard to wake him up.
- A rash appears on the skin.
Children over two years old
In addition to the various symptoms above, meningitis in children aged over two years will also show symptoms in the form of:
- Headache.
- Back pain.
- Neck pain and stiffness.
- Glare easily or sensitive to bright light.
- Confusion.
- Decreased level of consciousness or coma.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Reddish-purple rash or patches
In infants or children with meningitis, signs and symptoms may also appear such as jaundice, low body temperature (hypothermia), crying in a very loud tone, and the soft part of the head (fontanel) protruding.
To prevent your little one from getting meningitis, you need to complete his immunizations according to the schedule, including immunizations for measles, polio, mumps, chickenpox, and influenza.
Although it can't completely protect your little one from meningitis, these five vaccines can help protect the body from the attack of this viral disease. Also make sure he gets the Hib vaccine at 2, 3, 4, and 15 months old; and meningococcal vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
Meningitis that is not treated immediately can lead to dangerous complications. Therefore, immediately take your little one to the doctor if he experiences the various symptoms above to get treatment as soon as possible.
