Today, every parent should be able to recognize the first symptoms of meningitis in children. This disease is an inflammatory process that occurs in the membranes of the spinal cord and brain. This disease is considered one of the most dangerous, and at the slightest suspicion of meningitis, the patient must be urgently hospitalized, since it can be cured only in stationary conditions. And it doesn’t matter who showed signs of meningitis: teenagers or young children. Yes, children are more susceptible to this disease, as their immunity is not yet so strongly developed.
The disease is dangerous because even if the patient is treated on time and correctly, serious consequences can still occur in the form of hearing loss or vision loss, headaches, epileptic seizures. Such complications can last for several years or remain for life, leading to disability. Everyone knows that meningitis, even with modern treatment, can be fatal. That is why it is especially importantknow the first symptoms of meningitis in children.
This disease in children is divided into purulent and serous. In the first case, the causative agent is a bacterial infection, and in the second, the disease occurs due to a viral infection. It must be said that the meningitis virus is extremely resistant to the external environment. It can be quietly up to several weeks, for example, in tap water. Moreover, a short boil does not threaten him at all. Most often, preschoolers and adolescents are ill with this type. What are the signs of meningitis in this case? This is a severe headache with a sharp rise in temperature. Moreover, the pain will be felt throughout the head and intensify during sharp sounds, movements or light stimuli. Reception of analgesics will not give an effect. On the 2-3rd day, vomiting (fountain) may appear, and it will not be associated with food intake. It is clear that general lethargy will appear, the child will lie, as they say, “in a layer.”
What are the first symptoms of meningitis in children with a purulent form of the disease? This species is transmitted by airborne droplets. It can also occur against the background of a disease of the nasopharynx or ear. The disease begins with fever and headache. Shortness of breath and palpitations appear. In newborns, convulsions may occur, swelling of the fontanel is observed. Children try to lie on their side with their legs tucked in and their heads thrown back. There is also muscle stiffness. Lay the baby on his back and try to bring his chin to his chest. If it is difficult or impossible to do this, then the babyclear sign of meningitis.
Another symptom of this disease is that if the patient lies on his back, and his head is tilted to the chest, then the legs will involuntarily bend. Or lift a sick baby under the armpits, he should pull his legs up to his stomach. Also, the first signs include a strong agitation of the child, which subsequently increases and is accompanied by hallucinations, or, conversely, can change into lethargy and even go into a coma.
It must be said that all the listed first symptoms of meningitis in children are indirect, it is possible to diagnose this disease only in stationary conditions. And if suddenly you find the first signs, put him to bed, close the windows with curtains and urgently call an ambulance.
