The word "meningitis" in itself is alarming for parents, because it is this disease that is very difficult to establish, and delay in treatment can be fatal.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (spinal cord or brain). In children, the disease can be complicated by general blood poisoning, which is facilitated by meningitis and this condition is extremely life-threatening. With the disease diagnosed in time, the chances of recovery are quite high (provided that the right treatment is provided in a timely manner), however, meningitis threatens with complications that significantly worsen the quality of life.
A distinctive feature of meningitis in children is the rapid development of the disease. Just a few hours after the first complaint, the child can be completely broken, tired. All the symptoms of the disease indicate an infectious component in the etiology, however, it is quite difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. Serous meningitis in children occurs due to the penetration of Yersinia, Rickettsia, Plasmodium malaria, Toxoplasma, Leptospira, and many others.
Symptomatology
Meningitis in children manifests itself in different ways, and the symptoms themselves appear randomly. With any suspicion of this disease, parents should know the “golden rule” - immediate hospitalization in a child care institution and an early examination by a specialist. Only in this case, the risk of complications is minimal, and the chances of recovery increase.
In newborns and preschoolers, meningitis can manifest as fever, nausea, and vomiting. Children refuse to eat, newborns cry loudly without stopping. If the fontanel is not yet closed in the child, then in this place you can notice a bulging. The skin of children turns pale, spots of various shades with uneven edges (“marble skin”) may be noticeable on it. Breathing shallow, frequent. The general condition can be either overly inhibited (weak reaction to external stimuli) and hyperactive (the child makes jerky movements with his limbs, cannot be in one position for a long time). Usually, with the meningitis of the membranes of the brain, the muscles of the neck become numb, with any turning of the head the child experiences sharp pain. Sharp sounds, bright light annoy the child. Such a reaction at first leads to further impaired consciousness and coma.
Meningitis in children also gives skin signs - first of all, it is a rash of various sizes. The rash acquires a rather pronounced bright red color, which cannot be confused with an allergic rash or otherwise. When pressed on the skin, the rash does not disappear, the skin becomes slightly bluish. Children at this moment may feel a cooling of limbs, muscle pain. Such symptoms in most cases appear first. For first aid, the introduction of antibiotics is necessary, which should be prescribed by a doctor.
Causes
In most cases, meningitis in children is caused by an infection (bacterium or virus). Modern medicine has identified some of them and now children are given preventive vaccinations. However, some strains mutate and can be dangerous. Most often, meningitis occurs in children who have weakened immunity.
Diagnostics
The doctor’s most important task is to diagnose meningitis in children as early as possible. If a blood test and other indicators indicate an infection and an inflammatory process, then lumbar puncture may be decisive . Using this analysis, purulent meningitis in children can be diagnosed.
Treatment
It should be carried out only in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. A dose of antibiotics is administered intravenously, which will fight the infection, and special medications are given to reduce brain swelling. If there is a general infection of the blood, then rehabilitation measures may require connection to an artificial respiration apparatus.