Meningitis is a life-threatening disease, the essence of which is inflammation of the membrane 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 an unrecognized bacterial disease on time without timely treatment almost always leads to serious complications. His viral “colleague” (if it was not caused by a cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or herpes simplex virus) has slightly better predictions.
How can I get meningitis?
Only some bacteria are transmitted by airborne droplets (these are meningococcus and hemophilic bacillus), many viruses. And only in special situations do these microbes enter the brain, causing meningitis. Therefore, if you find out that your child has talked with a person who was diagnosed with this disease a few days later and it was not caused by meningococcus, do not panic. He also has the same chance of contracting from people in his immediate circle when they suffer a catarrhal disease caused by a virus.
The main way bacteria enter the brain is from the ears (for otitis media), paranasal sinuses (for frontal sinusitis, sinusitis), and oropharynx.
How is meningitis manifested?
The main symptoms of meningitis in children:
- headache, which is poorly relieved by painkillers (as an option, there may be back pain, since this shell also covers the spinal cord);
- temperature increase (not always up to very high numbers);
- nausea and vomiting not associated with eating;
- photophobia (it is painful to look at the light);
- weakness, drowsiness;
- loss of appetite;
- Hypersensitivity to the skin: normal tactile contact (stroking, holding the hand) causes discomfort.
These are signs of meningitis in an older child who already speaks and can say that he is worried.
The following symptoms should alert the baby:
1) Bulging fontanel. This is a malleable “film” in children under one year old, located on the head closer to the crown. Normally, it should be on par 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 a complete refusal of food and drink.
2) Symptoms of meningitis in children, upon hearing which, the doctor immediately sends to the infectious diseases hospital: cramps (including “rolling” the eye, twitching in the limbs) that 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 like this: takes the child under the armpits and lifts. Strengthens in suspicion of meningitis, if the child at the same time pulls the legs to the stomach. This symptom is also checked: when tapping the bone forming the cheek from above (this is called the zygomatic arch), a grimace of pain appears on the same half of the face.
In children older than a year, other symptoms are checked (for example, stiff neck muscles), which 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 fade if you stretch the skin under them.
When can not you waste time?
- If you see at least something similar to the symptoms of meningitis in a child (they are not in a “complete set”: for example, there is only vomiting and fever or severe drowsiness at elevated temperature), you need to call an ambulance.
- If the baby has a rash against the background of temperature, even if he was previously fed a new type of food or was bitten by mosquitoes, do not postpone the call for medical help.
- If there were convulsions, even in the form of slight twitches that they themselves have passed.
- If the child has stopped responding to others, it is difficult to wake him up.