Meningitis is a medical term used to describe infection or inflammation of the meninges, i.e protective membrane around the brain and spinal cord. Not only in adults, meningitis in children may cause long-term dangerous side effects, if not addressed immediately.
Meningitis or inflammation of the lining of the brain is caused by bacteria or viruses that travel to the meninges through the bloodstream. Meningitis in children that is transmitted through the virus can be through airborne, namely from people who cough or sneeze near the little one, also because they don't maintain cleanliness. Meanwhile, meningitis caused by bacteria can be spread if your child lives with, is touched or kissed by someone with meningitis.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Meningitis in Children
The early signs of meningitis in children caused by bacteria or viruses are often similar, including fever and headache. In fact, there are some early symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu. The thing to watch out for, most of the symptoms of meningitis in children appear or are easier to realize even if the disease is severe.
It is recommended to immediately take the child to the emergency department, if he shows the following symptoms:
- Fever with cold feet and hands
- Crying, moaning or moaning is not as usual
- Spots or rash appear on the skin
- Sensitive to light
- Breath becomes fast
- Fussy or irritable
- Don't want to eat, lethargic, pale face
- A soft lump appears on the head
- Stiffness in the neck or body
- Seizures, vomiting, drowsiness or difficulty getting up
Dangers of meningitis in children
Meningitis in children caused by viruses usually will not cause dangerous complications than bacterial meningitis. In fact, the symptoms of viral meningitis can improve and go away on their own within 7-10 days, and can be treated on an outpatient basis at home.
While meningitis in children caused by bacteria can cause serious or severe and long-term complications, such as:
- Hearing loss (deafness)
- Visual impairment (blind)
- Speech disorders
- Developmental delay
- convulsions
- Inability to learn
- Paralysis
- Decreased mental function
- Disorders of the heart, kidneys, and glands
- Death
To treat meningitis in children caused by viruses, doctors generally will ask the child to rest, without giving antibiotics, while providing supportive therapy. In rare cases, the virus causes inflammation of the brain, doctors can give antiviral drugs.
Meanwhile, for meningitis in children caused by bacteria, doctors will give antibiotics and intensive treatment. The child may also be given respiratory support with an oxygen mask. To recover from this condition, it generally takes a few weeks or more.
To prevent transmission of meningitis to children, you should avoid contact with people with meningitis or who are sick. Immediately take the child to the doctor, if symptoms arise as described above.
