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Contents contributed and discussions participated by alishaa286

alishaa286

Meningitis - 0 views

  • Routine immunization
  • Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
  • The first symptoms of bacterial or viral meningitis can come on quickly or surface several days after someone has had a cold, diarrhea and vomiting, or other signs of an infection.
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  • anticonvulsants might be given for seizures
  • The vaccines against Hib, measles, mumps, polio, meningococcus, and pneumococcus can protect against meningitis caused by these microorganisms
  • Bacterial meningitis is rare
  • caused by bacteria or viruses, but some can be due to certain medications or illnesses
  • kids may need supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation if they have difficulty breathing.
  • kids get vaccinated for meningococcal disease when they're 11 years old
  • If someone develops shock or low blood pressure, additional IV fluids and certain medications might be given to increase blood pressure
  • Viral meningitis (also called aseptic meningitis
  • with a booster shot at age 16
  • Bacterial meningitis complications can be severe and include neurological problems such as hearing loss, visual impairment, seizures, and learning disabilities.
  • They might simply have extreme irritability, lethargy, or fever. They may be difficult to comfort, even when they are picked up and rocked
  • s relatively common and far less serious
  • fever lethargy (decreased consciousness) irritability headache photophobia (eye sensitivity to light) stiff neck skin rashes seizures
  • those who've had bacterial meningitis should have a hearing test following their recovery
  • People of any age can get meningitis
  • The vaccine also might be recommended for kids between 6 weeks and 10 years old who have certain high-risk medical problems, and for people traveling to countries where meningitis is more common
  • spread among those living in close quarters, teens, college students, and boarding-school students are at higher risk for infection.
  • The heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands also might be affected, depending on the cause of the infection
  • If dealt with promptly, meningitis can be treated successfully
  • get routine vaccinations
  • know the signs of meningitis
  • good hygiene is an important
  • Common symptoms include:
  • Infants with meningitis may not have common symptoms
  • if you suspect that your child has the illness, seek medical care right away
  • Encourage kids to wash their hands thoroughly and often, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom
  • Avoiding close contact with someone who is obviously ill and not sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils can help halt the spread of germs as well.
  • Most cases of meningitis — both viral and bacterial — are due to infections that are contagious, spread via tiny drops of fluid from the throat and nose of someone who is infected.
  • Other symptoms of meningitis in infants can include: jaundice (a yellowish tint to the skin) stiffness of the body and neck fever or lower-than-normal temperature poor feeding a weak suck a high-pitched cry bulging fontanelles (the soft spot at the top/front of the baby's skull)
  • airborne when the person coughs, laughs, talks, or sneezes.
  • They then can infect others when people breathe them in or touch the drops and then touch their own noses or mouths
  • Bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, urinary system, or gastrointestinal and respiratory tract can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord.
  • Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis
  • In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria spread to the meninges from a severe head trauma or a severe local infection, such as a serious ear infection (otitis media) or nasal sinus infection (sinusitis).
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect your child has meningitis or has symptoms such as vomiting, headache, lethargy or confusion, neck stiffness, rash, and fever
  • Infants who have fever, irritability, poor feeding, and lethargy should also be assessed by a doctor right away.
  • Infections most often spread between people who are in close contact, such as those who live together or people who are exposed by kissing or sharing eating utensils. Casual contact at school or work with someone who has one of these infections usually will not transmit the infectious agent.
  • tends to cause flu-like symptoms
  • Most cases of viral meningitis resolve completely within 7 to 10 days, without any complications or need for treatment
  • If your child has had contact with someone who has meningitis (for example, in a childcare center or a college dorm), call your doctor to ask whether preventive medication is recommended
  • Sharing food, drinking glasses, eating utensils, tissues, or towels all can transmit infection as well. Some infectious organisms can spread through a person's stool (poop), and someone who comes in contact with the stool — such as kids in daycare — may develop the infection.
  • newborns, the most common causes are Group B streptococcus
  • In older kids, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are more often the causes
  • if you think that your child has any form of meningitis, it's important to see the doctor right away.
  • Another bacteria, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), also can cause the illness but because of widespread childhood immunization, these cases are rarer
  • If meningitis is suspected, the doctor will order laboratory tests to help make the diagnosis, probably including a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect a sample of spinal fluid.
  • many different viruses can lead to viral meningitis
  • coxsackievirus and poliovirus
  • , although some kids are allowed to recover at home if they are not too ill. Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medication.
  • Someone with viral meningitis may be hospitalized
  • If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed — or even suspected — doctors will start intravenous (IV
  • antibiotic
  • Fluids may be given to replace those lost to fever, sweating, vomiting, and poor appetite.
  • soon as possibl
alishaa286

Meningitis | Home | CDC - 2 views

  • Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
  • may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses
  • but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury, cancer or certain drugs.
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  • it is important to know the specific cause of meningitis.
  • Having meningitis doesn't always mean you have meningococcal disease
  • having meningococcal disease doesn’t necessarily mean you have meningitis
  •  Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus
  • Bacterial meningitis is contagious
  • spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., kissing
  • contamination
  • , are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination
  • can occur when changing a diaper
  • or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards), but enteroviruses can also be spread via eye, nose, and mouth secretions (such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum), or blister fluid.
alishaa286

Meningitis Facts | What is Meningitis - 0 views

  • Meningococcal meningitis, a form of meningococcal disease that although rare, is a serious bacterial infection
  • Meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognize, especially in its early stages because meningitis symptoms are similar to those of more common viral illnesses
  • can cause death or disability within just 1 day
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  • can suffer permanent consequences, such as:6,9,10 Amputation of limbs, fingers, or toes Severe scarring Brain damage Hearing loss Kidney damage Psychological problems
  • Teens and young adults are at the highest risk, but keep in mind that anyone can get meningitis
  • Yes, it can be spread by common activities, such as:5,11,12 Kissing Sharing utensils and drinking glasses Living in close quarters (dormitories or summer camps) Smoking or being exposed to smoke
  • Things like staying out late and irregular sleeping habits can make teens feel run down and may also put them at greater risk for meningitis by weakening their immune system
  • Get vaccinated
  • child’s school nurse or other health care provider about the importance of vaccination.14 If you ever suspect that your child has meningitis, go to the emergency room right away, where he or she can be evaluated and receive prompt medical care
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