www.womanthismonth.com 51 March 2013 | Babies, toddlers and young children under five are the most at risk group for meningitis, with over 50 per cent of all cases occurring in this age group. M eningitis is tricky to spot because it usually comes on suddenly and can be easily confused with flu by parents as many of the symptoms are the same. It should be treated as a medical emergency because bacterial meningitis can lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can be deadly. For children under the age of five, statistics suggest one out of seven who contract meningitis will die. What to watch out for The early symptoms of bacterial meningitis are similar to those of many other conditions and comprise a severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and feeling generally unwell. As the condition gets worse, it may cause drowsiness, confusion, fits, being unable to tolerate bright lights. Less common in young children are symptoms like a stiff neck, a rapid breathing rate and an occasional blotchy red rash that does not fade or change colour. The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are different in babies and young children. Some babies will develop a swelling in the soft part of their head, the fontanelle. Possible symptoms include becoming floppy and unresponsive, stiff jerky movements or irritable and not wanting to be held. Others to watch for are unusual crying, vomiting and refusing feeds, pale and mottled skin, loss of appetite, a expression and very sleepy with a reluctance to wake up Taking action If you notice any of the symptoms of meningitis, particularly in a young child, seek medical help immediately. This may mean going to the accident and emergency department of your closest hospital in the middle of the night. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear. In cases of suspected meningitis, treatment will usually begin before the diagnosis has been confirmed. This is because a number of the tests can take several hours to complete and it could be hazardous to hold up treatment for that amount of time. Doctors will carry out a physical examination to look for signs of meningitis or septicaemia. Diagnostic tests for meningitis must include a lumbar puncture, where a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the base of the spine and checked for the presence of bacteria or viruses. A lumbar puncture will need to be delayed if there are signs of increased pressure on the brain. Bacterial meningitis can place tremendous strain on the body and the brain. It is estimated that a quarter of people with meningococcal disease (the combination of meningitis and blood poisoning) will have complications like partial or total hearing loss, temporary or permanent learning difficulties, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, speech problems and partial or total vision loss. There is also the option of a vaccine, the meningitis C vaccination, which you can discuss with your doctor. For feedback, comments or questions contact Dr Jinan Darwish via email at: [email protected] If your child, or a young adult, is clearly ill and a purplish or red rash has appeared, press the side of a glass tumbler firmly against their skin. If you can see the rash through the glass, the person has septicaemia. Seek urgent medical help at the A&E department of your closest hospital. The Tumbler Test Column Trust Your Intuition
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