How to Deal with Meningitis in Children

Lucy Piper: We’ve all read so many scary stories in the newspapers about Meningitis. It really is a terrifying thought for any mom and dad, so what sign should we looking at for and how can we protect our children? With me now is Yvonne from St. John Ambulance and mom Palvi. First things first, let’s get this straight what is Meningitis? Yvonne Dormer: Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain, but lots of people don’t realize that it sort of also surrounds the spinal cord. Lucy Piper: Right. Palvi Karia: Is there one type of one strain of Meningitis or -- Yvonne Dormer: There are several strains, some of course, by viruses, some by bacteria, so some you can protect together, but some you can’t. Palvi Karia: How do I prevent my children from getting Meningitis and are they more likely to get it compared to adults? Yvonne Dormer: Adults and children like and get meningitis non-selective unfortunately; if you are on contact with it anybody can catch it. Once the child is little older pre-school then they can have a vaccination against it. Lucy Piper: Alright, so what science we would be looking at for -- Yvonne Dormer: Well because it surrounds the brain and spinal cord, you are most likely to get a very severe headache and most people have heard if they have problem with stiff back, stiff neck. Children may not be able to explain this, so what you’re going to have to look out for in the younger age group is that they might ouch their back, so they ouch back with because of the pain with all to children then they about wan to turn their head or look up and down. Lucy Piper: Alright. Yvonne Dormer: High fever and because again if the problem with the contact with the brain, the eyes, they don’t like bright light, so they tend to shy away from bright light and we some strains, eventually there maybe a rash appear. Lucy Piper: Alright. Is that there was something about a glass was in there in the rashes. Yvonne Dormer: Yes, it’s a septic rash. In most cases, when you got a spot on the skin, if you would press on it with a glass and just roll the glass back with some forwards the spot will disappear or get pale, but with the septic rash for Meningitis, you do that on the spot is still clearly visible through the glass. Lucy Piper: Alright, but you should not necessarily they going to gets a rash out of them? Yvonne Dormer: No, it’s not every strain that produces the rash, so it don’t wait for the rest of pair if you got the other recognition features and make sure the child is treated. Lucy Piper: So, Yvonne if we’re worried, should we go rushing straight to the hospital and wait to see our doctor? Yvonne Dormer: A good idea to call the doctor, the onset of the symptoms, if you got the child complaining of a headache or stiff back or you notice there is a fever always call your doctor first, but if you get a combination of symptoms as I’ve described, always advisable to go to the hospital. Palvi Karia: If they are had it ones, does it mean that they’ll always keep getting Meningitis? Yvonne Dormer: Not necessarily, it can be one of problem. There is a certain type that may cause a slight whist in the membrane surrounding the brain, and then that is most acceptable to future infections, so it can get repeat. Palvi Karia: If I know I’ve child has got Meningitis, should I keep much out away from? Yvonne Dormer: Always wise to keep them separate, you don’t want to put the child at deliberate risk? Palvi Karia: So, can I just clarify is that a stiff back or stiff neck that I should be looking out for? Yvonne Dormer: It’s all the way down the back as a matter of fact but it is mainly the neck they can’t get the chin down on to their chest, but they also have pain in the small of the backs or they will ouch backwards. Palvi Karia: Alright, okay. Lucy Piper: So, obviously, if your child is diagnosed with Meningitis it’s very scary. Does it always fatal? Yvonne Dormer: No, it’s not that there are various strains as I say, some of them can be treated very effectively with antibiotics, others take a little bit more care and attention. Lucy Piper: Can that be careful at home and more today we always have to go into hospital? Yvonne Dormer: No, it’s not really a home care situation at all; any child with Meningitis needs to be under medical supervision. Lucy Piper: Thank you very much Yvonne. Yvonne Dormer: No problem. Lucy Piper: So, to sum up, what to do if you suspect your child has Meningitis. What type of fever, if your child is Lethargic or shies away from bright lights, don’t wait or a rash because it mainly appear immediately and if you would too worried, call a doctor.