How do I know if my child has meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis

  1. a high temperature (fever)
  2. being sick.
  3. a headache.
  4. a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
  5. a stiff neck.
  6. a dislike of bright lights.
  7. drowsiness or unresponsiveness.
  8. seizures (fits)

Can a child survive meningitis?

Meningitis is an uncommon but serious, life-threatening infection. However, a baby will almost always fully recover when it’s diagnosed and treated early. If treatment is delayed, a baby can still recover, but they may be left with one or more long-term effects, including: blindness.

What happens if a child gets meningitis?

What are the possible complications of meningitis in a child? Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and may lead to long-term complications. Some children may have long-term problems with seizures, brain damage, hearing loss, and disability. Bacterial meningitis can also cause death.

How do little kids get meningitis?

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. In newborns, the most common causes are group B strep, E. coli, and less commonly, Listeria monocytogenes. In older kids, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are often the causes.

How is meningitis treated kids?

Treatment. Acute bacterial meningitis requires immediate hospital-based treatment and antibiotics. Secondary symptoms such as brain swelling, shock and seizures will require other medications and intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral meningitis — its symptoms should clear up in a few weeks.

How serious is meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is serious. Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.

How is meningitis detected?

For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you’ll need a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.

Can a child get meningitis if vaccinated?

Vaccinating babies at these times helps protect them when they are most at risk of developing MenB disease. The MenB vaccine will not protect against other bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis and septicaemia.

How high is a fever with meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include: a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F) being sick. a headache.