It is a very scary diagnosis for parents and doctors, meningitis. And, this time of year it seems to make headlines somewhere in the country. Last year some hockey players from New Jersey shared water bottles and contracted meningitis, and this week two Bentley College students in Massachusetts have been hospitalized with meningitis.
Parents often wonder when their children complain of symptoms if those symptoms are "meningitis". Viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, which is irritation of the lining around the brain. Like all illnesses, there is variation and there can be mild to severe degrees of illness. But, bacterial meningitis, the type that is making news this week, makes people very, very sick and very quickly. This isn't the type of situation where you wonder if your child is sick - you know it. These kids look and act sick. They have fever, often very high. They feel lousy. They are tired and often very sleepy. Some may feel very sick to their stomachs . Some may seem confused to those around them. They have severe headache and their neck becomes so stiff they truly can't bend it without their heads hurting more.
Antibiotics help when begun early but it is a serious illness and, sadly, can claim lives and leave survivors with horrible problems once they recover. For this reason, close contacts are also treated, and a vaccine has been developed for preteens and close contacts. But, what is important to remember is that only close contacts need to be treated because bacterial meningitis can only be spread by sharing saliva - kissing, sharing food utensils or cups. This isn't the type of illness that spreads by casual contact which is actually reassuring. Your kids won't get bacterial meningitis by being in the same room as a person with the illness - there has to be that direct contact with saliva. Breathing air or touching isn't a risk factor.
So, what should you do next time your child has fever, headache and complaints of a sore or stiff neck? Don't play doctor, call your doctor for advice. Keep in mind that true, serious illness like the type bacterial meningitis causes doesn't hide for long so if your child looks well and is acting well that is always reassuring. But, if your child is becoming sick before your eyes, your child needs medical attention right away. In fact, if that is going on, call your doctor on the way to the ER or call 911 if your child is horribly ill to you.
Here are some links for more information:
CHOP Meningitis Information
CDC Meningitis Information
