Meningitis

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a serious infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord caused by many types of germs, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Meningitis caused by fungi is rare, seen mostly in people who have problems with their immune system, for example with cancer or HIV/AIDS.

Viral meningitis may occur along with a viral infection elsewhere in the body, such as gastroenteritis, chickenpox (varicella), or mumps. Viral meningitis can occur at any age, but is most common in children. The condition usually disappears on its own without any long-lasting complications.

Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment and hospitalization.

Many different bacteria can cause meningitis. In newborns, the most common causes are Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli. In children over 2 months of age, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are responsible for most cases of meningitis.

Before vaccination was introduced, Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was a dreaded cause of meningitis in children that often resulted in severe complications. Today, with routine vaccinations, Hib is a rare cause of meningitis.

The time from infection to symptoms (incubation period) varies from a few days to few weeks, depending on which bacteria have caused the infection. These germs are spread through droplets from an infected person sneezing or coughing; but infection can also occur through direct contact with an infected person or feces, depending on which germ.

Treatment / What you should do

It is important that parents know the signs and symptoms of meningitis. Call a doctor or ambulance immediately if you suspect your child has it.

Fever and vomiting, without diarrhea, can be caused by common infections, but also can be early signs of meningitis.

If the child has a rash, you should confirm whether or not this is petechiae -- tiny broken blood vessels under the skin -- by doing the glass test. Press a glass or finger on the rash. If the rash does not fade when pressed, it may be petechiae. Petechiae can be a sign of serious bacterial infection and your child's doctor should be contacted right away.

You can also check whether your child has a stiff neck. Have your child sit up in bed, then hold a small toy or flashlight down near his belly button and ask him to look at it. If he has difficulty looking down at the object, you should contact a doctor right away.

Another sign of a stiff neck is not being able to bend his head forward and down when he vomits.

If the doctor thinks your child may have meningitis, she will do some blood tests and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to look for signs of infection.

If the child has meningitis caused by bacteria, he must receive antibiotics in his veins immediately, in addition to other intensive treatment.

It is likely that a child with meningitis will be hospitalized for several days or even weeks, depending on how severe it is. When your child comes home from the hospital, it is important that he get enough rest and nourishment. Call your doctor again if your child does not improve at home, or if he seems to be getting worse instead of better.