Meningitis is a life-threatening disease, the essence of which is inflammation of the lining closest to the brain (there are three in total). Microbes cause the disease: viruses, bacteria (including tuberculosis bacillus), fungi. Every parent should know the symptoms of meningitis in children, because a bacterial disease that is not recognized in time without timely treatment almost always leads to serious complications. Its viral counterpart (if not caused by cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or herpes simplex virus) has slightly better prognosis.
How can you get meningitis?
Only some bacteria are transmitted by airborne droplets (these are meningococcus and Haemophilus influenzae), many viruses. And only in special situations, these microbes enter the brain, causing meningitis. Therefore, if you find out that your child talked to a person who was diagnosed with this disease a few days later and it was not caused by meningococcus, do not panic. He has the same chance of getting infected from people from the immediate environment when they suffer a cold caused by a virus.
The main way bacteria enter the brain is from the ears (whenotitis), paranasal sinuses (with frontal sinusitis, sinusitis), from the oropharynx.
How does meningitis manifest?
Main symptoms of meningitis in children:
- a headache that is poorly relieved by painkillers (alternatively, there may be back pain, since it is this membrane that covers the spinal cord);
- rise in temperature (not always to very high numbers);
- nausea and vomiting not related to eating;
- photophobia (it hurts to look at the light);
- weakness, drowsiness;
- loss of appetite;
- increased skin sensitivity: ordinary tactile contact (stroking, holding the hand) causes discomfort.
These are signs of meningitis in an older child who can already speak and can tell what is bothering him.
Should alert the following symptoms in a baby:
1) Bulging fontanel. This is a pliable "film" in children under one year old, located on the head closer to the crown. Normally, it should be on the same level with the bones of the skull. This symptom indicates increased intracranial pressure. It is informative if the child is not dehydrated due to vomiting or complete refusal to eat and drink.
2) Symptoms of meningitis in children, upon hearing which, the doctor immediately sends to the infectious diseases hospital: convulsions (including “rolling” of the eye, twitching in the limbs), which occur against the background of even a slightly elevated temperature.
3) The child is lethargic, sleepy, stops responding to others. Sometimes it happens that at first he is very excited, cries, throws back his head, then the excitement is replaced by drowsiness.
4) The doctor checks the symptoms of meningitis in children up to a year as follows: he takes the child under the arms and lifts it up. Strengthens in suspicion of meningitis, if the child pulls the legs to the stomach. The following sign is also checked: when tapping on the bone that forms the cheek from above (this is called the zygomatic arch), a grimace of pain appears on the same half of the face.
Children older than 1 year are tested for other symptoms (such as neck stiffness) that are characteristic of meningitis in adults.
5) Rash. It does not appear with all types of infection. The most “terrible” rash looks like dark spots, they appear immediately on the buttocks and legs, can merge with each other, do not turn pale if the skin is stretched under them.
When is there no time to waste?
- If you see at least something similar to the symptoms of meningitis in a child (they are not in the “full set”: for example, there is only vomiting and fever or severe drowsiness at elevated temperature), you need to call an ambulance.
- If your baby develops a rash due to a fever, even if they have been fed a new food or have been bitten by mosquitoes, do not delay calling for medical help.
- If there were convulsions, even in the form of slight twitches, which themselves passed.
- If a child has stopped responding to others, it is difficultwake up.
