Meningitis in infants and children: what are the warning symptoms and how to prevent it

Meningitis is a uncommon but very aggressive disease, which occurs suddenly and can cause death in a few hours. Five to ten percent of patients usually die within the first 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.

That is why it is a disease that generates great concern among parents, and it is important to be informed about alert symptoms and how to detect it as quickly as possible.

Anyone can suffer from meningitis, but children under five, teenagers, young adults and those over 65 are the highest risk groups. We will talk today about this disease to know it better, how to prevent it and be aware of what the warning signs are.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Depending on the cause that causes it can be:

  • Viral meningitis: Also called aseptic meningitis is caused by a virus. It is more frequent but less serious. Enteroviruses (those that cause intestinal diseases), herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, mumps, measles and influenza are some of the viruses that can cause meningitis. Most people with mild viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days.

  • Bacterial meningitis: It is caused by bacteria and can cause serious consequences such as brain injury, deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus or even death. It is more frequent in the first three years of life.

It is a very contagious disease. The bacterium penetrates the bloodstream and can affect in two ways, causing meningitis, inflammation of the meninges, and / or a sepsis or septicemia, an infection of the entire bloodstream that reaches all organs. Meningitis is the leading cause of death from infection in children and adolescents.

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Meningitis symptoms

Symptoms usually appear quickly, therefore, at the slightest warning sign you should go to the hospital immediately.

In case of sepsis, being a generalized infection of the whole blood, the person can go from feeling bad to fighting for his life in a few hours, so the rapid action before the least symptom is essential. In fact, most deaths could be avoided if an early diagnosis were given.

Thus, go to the doctor urgently If you notice any of these symptoms in your child:

  • Stiff neck and spine
  • Photophobia: sensitivity to light
  • Intense headache
  • Vomiting in shotguns
  • Fever: Meningitis is an important cause of fever in infants and newborns
  • Restless breathing
  • Low reaction capacity, decreased state of consciousness
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Sometimes diarrhea
  • Rashes on any part of the body, microderrames

Specific symptoms in babies

In addition to the common symptoms in children and adults, these specific symptoms can be observed in babies:

  • Fever
  • Irritability
  • Not eat well
  • Drowsiness or difficulty waking up
  • Lethargy (lack of energy)
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How to prevent meningitis: vaccines

The bacteria It is spread by air and close contact, for example, through a kiss. Therefore, to prevent infection, children should wash their hands after coughing, sneezing, before eating and when their hands are dirty, as well as avoid sharing utensils, drinks or anything that can spread fluids from the nose and throat.

Although the number of meningococcal B strains has been drastically reduced in recent years, infants below twelve months are the most vulnerable group, followed by children between one to four years and adolescents between 15 to 19 years.

The most effective prevention is vaccination. There are 12 serogroups of this bacterium, of which six of them cause disease: serogroups A, B, C, W135, X and Y. Much of the cases, at least in Spain, are produced by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis Type B and Type C.

  • The vaccine that protects against meningococcus type B, which is the most predominant in Spain, is the Bexsero that Spain is not included in the calendar of mandatory vaccines. It is only funded in some autonomous communities, but in most of Spain, if you want to vaccinate your children you have to buy it at the pharmacy for 106.15 euros each dose.

  • For its part, Health has announced that it will include in the calendar the tetravalent vaccine that protects against meningococci A, C, W and Y that will be administered to all children at age 12 instead of the monovalent vaccine against meningococcus C. At 12 months will continue to be vaccinated against meningococcus C. Tetravalent will be included in all vaccination schedules throughout 2020.

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Video: Managing Meningitis - Mayo Clinic (March 2024).