Meningitis in children denotes a swelling of the membranes that cover the spinal chord and the brain. It can have serious consequences if not treated in time. Even though the disease can attack people from many age groups children constitute approximately 55% of the victims.
Symptoms of Meningitis In Children
The Viral meningitis sometimes evades detection because its symptoms mimic those of common flu. During the summer months the occurrences of this disease are more prevalent.
As a matter of fact, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis grow faster and they may become perceptible within hours. In a variant of the aliment called meningococcal meningitis the victims may develop purple red colored rashes on their body.
The most prominent symptom of the disease is that it can make a healthy looking child ill very quickly after the contamination has taken place. The symptoms in the afflicted children actually depend on their age group. Infants affected by the ailment reduce the rate of fluid intake.
They tend to vomit frequently and become more irritable than usual. Such infants can also develop fever and show signs of lethargy. If the affected children are over 1 year they can also suffer from vomiting and nausea. This might be accompanied with headache. Such a child might become increasingly sensitive to bright lights. Other notable signs of the menace include drowsiness and joint pain.
The bacterial variant of the disease can lead to long term impediments like hearing and nervous shortfalls. It might also lead to the gathering of fluids in the body of the victims.
Causes of Meningitis In Children
The ailment usually takes place as an impediment from a contamination in the bloodstream of the victims. There is a natural defense mechanism in the body called blood brain barrier that shields the brain from getting contaminated through blood. The infections can often diminish the capability of this barrier.
Once this barrier becomes weaker, the contagious organisms make their way through the brain fluids. The body reacts by trying to increase the amount of white blood cells which is a usual immune system reaction. But instead of healing the system, this can further aggravate the inflammation. As the swelling advances, the blood flow to crucial parts of the brain can diminish.
In some instances, the disease can also be triggered by the influence of a neighboring serious contamination like an infection in the ear. An infection can also take place after head surgery or severe trauma to the brain. The Bacterial meningitis in children can be triggered by several kinds of bacteria. Among them Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus and the Listeria species are noteworthy
Treatments of Meningitis In Children
A special test named lumbar puncture confirms the occurrence of the disease. In this process, a person is administered regional anesthesia and thereafter a small needle is inserted in his spine. It draws out the fluid for subsequent examination. The treatment is given according to the cause of the contamination. In the majority of the instances, intravenous antibiotic drugs are given to a patient. Sometimes doctors try to control the symptoms of the disease like seizures.
Types of Meningitis In children
The disease can broadly be classified in to two types, according to the origins. The children are usually attacked by the bacterial meningitis. On the other hand, the viral variant of the disease generally target grown up children and adolescents.
The Viral Meningitis in children usually appears in winter; it does not assume a severe form. The majority of the victims recover without much problem. On the contrary, the Bacterial meningitis becomes severe in the affected children and also has the potential to lead to certain complications afterwards.
Advice
Scheduled vaccination can shield a child effectively from the occurrences of the forms of Meningitis. The vaccination for the mumps virus is useful. Since the delay in the treatments can increase the severity of the infections, the parents should take their children to the doctors if they suspect any contamination of Meningitis in children.
