Meningitis in children - symptoms, treatment, prevention

Even the outer shells of the brain can be affected, while the cells of the brain substance themselves are not directly affected.

Children are much more likely to suffer from meningitis than adults.

The incubation period of the causative agent of meningitis proceeds in different ways( the average value is two to ten days).

This period of time is sufficient to cause the causative agent to fall into the brain or spinal cord, causing inflammation.

Causes of the disease with meningitis

Meningitis is caused by viruses, bacteria and some other causes of .

Meningitis is a disease in the form of an independent disease, or in the form of various complications of other diseases.

There are the following types of meningitis:

• toxic;
• is viral;
• serous;
• purulent.

The child with meningitis has tension in the occiput.

There are at-risk groups of children exposed to this disease:

• premature babies;
• babies with impaired functioning of the nervous system.

Symptoms of the disease

There are various signs of meningitis:

• elevated body temperature( about 40 degrees);
• various rules of behavior of children( for example, some babies constantly cry, excited, others - calm down and constantly remain silent);
• severe chills;
• prolonged sleep;
• hemorrhagic rash;
• persistent headaches;
• nausea and vomiting.

In a meningitis patient afflicted with Kernig's syndrome and lying on the back, it is almost impossible to straighten, pre-bent, the leg in the knee and hip joints( the normal condition of the patient makes it easy to do this movement).

Newborn babies suffering from Kernig's syndrome, this body position manifests itself physiologically enough and persists for three months.

The upper Brudzinski syndrome is not a natural movement of pulling the legs to the abdominal area with simultaneous bending of the head to the chest area.

The normal condition of the patient does not allow the legs to bend.

Treatment

Children's meningitis, as well as an adult, is treated by a infectious disease doctor, in a hospital.

Meningitis therapy involves the administration of antibiotic-penicillins:

• benzylpenicillin;
• of Flemoxin;
• amoxyl.

The intake of antibiotics lasts a maximum of one week.

In addition, the treatment of meningitis involves the elimination of signs of toxicosis and a decrease in intracranial pressure.

Preparations Nootropil and Paracetam is used to restore the functioning of blood vessels and nerve cells;

with the help of preparations Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Kenalog, Dexamethasone is carried out therapy of anti-inflammatory processes of the body.

Timely and correct treatment of meningitis requires:

• elimination of the characteristic signs of toxicosis;
• to improve the condition of a sick kid;
• lead his body to full recovery.

You can avoid the disease with a special vaccination against childhood meningitis.

The vaccine for vaccination of children contains strains of inactivated bacteria that can not lead to meningitis.

A wide range of vaccine actions extends to several subtypes of meningitis infected with meningococcus( a source of the disease).

Consequences( complications) of children's meningitis

One of the most serious consequences of meningitis is:

• accumulation of excess fluid in the brain( toxic shock);
• swelling and swelling of the brain;
• adrenal acute insufficiency;
• cerebroestina.

To avoid the very threat of dangerous complications, the recovered infants are subject to:

• ;
• examination at a pediatrician, neurologist, infectious disease specialist.

Prevention

The most basic prevention methods are:

• hardening of the body;
• is a rational, healthy diet;
• walking on fresh air.

Child's nursery room:

• should be thoroughly washed, ventilated and lighted;
• room should be saturated with ultraviolet rays( death of pathogenic bacteria);
• vaccination;
• avoid self-medication.

You should always be tuned to a competent assessment of the situation and choosing the right treatment tactics.

In this you will be able to help only a competent and experienced therapist practitioner.

Take care of yourself.

Stay healthy!

Video: Meningitis