Meningitis II

Diagnosis of Meningitis
Many a times, meningitis is confused with flu, as both have many similar symptoms. In the case of meningitis, it is important to seek medical help as soon as even the slightest signs of the symptoms are noticed. The treatment for the condition begins even before the diagnosis is confirmed as some of the take hours to be performed, and any delay in the treatment can lead to unfortunate circumstances.
The tests performed include:
A blood test to identify the viruses or bacteria
A CT scan to measure the level of pressure on the brain
A lumbar puncture by taking a sample of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) to check the presence of viruses or bacteria.
Treatment of Meningitis
A person/child who has been afflicted by meningitis should be admitted to s hospital admitted.
Treating Bacterial Meningitis:
Immediate admission in the Intensive Care Unit is required. Heavy antibiotics are prescribed, extensive use of fluids and life – support equipment is made to help in the recovery of the body. Steroids are taken to reduce soreness. The bacteria even kill the healthy tissue by entering blood. There may be a need to surgically remove an entire part of the body, like the toe, limb or finger. Generally it takes 10 – 14 days to recover, however it may even extend to several weeks.
Treating Viral Meningitis:
If viral meningitis gets severe to the extent of being admitted in a hospital, then the procedure followed to treat it is the same as that of Bacterial meningitis. Once the condition has been fully diagnosed, the intake of intravenous fluids continues, where as the antibiotics are stopped. People afflicted by viral meningitis usually don’t need to be hospitalised, and tend to recover in a week or two without any treatment.

Complications of Meningitis
Some of the complications are:
Partial or total loss of vision
Problems relating to speech
Cerebral palsy
Partial or total loss of hearing
Memory and concentration related problems
Balance and coordination related problems
Temporary or permanent learning disabilities
Epilepsy
Hearing disability is the most common complexity, due to which a person who has recovered from meningitis is normally given a test to examine their hearing ability. Te test is repeated after six months to check the improvement or weakening in hearing.

Psychological complications that may arise:
Nightmares and/or disturbed sleep
Moodiness
Temper tantrums
Clingy behaviour
Experiences nervousness when parents are not around
Phobia of hospitals and doctors
Wet the bed often
The above listed complications tend to improve as the child recovers from the condition. However, in some cases, the child may require and additional therapy to recover.
How meningitis can be prevented,
The main vaccinations that can prevent meningitis are:
MMR – Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination
The meningitis C vaccine
The DTaP/ IPV/ Hib vaccine – this is a vaccination against tetanus, polio, diphtheria, Hib virus and whooping cough.
Children should be given these vaccinations as a part of their initial immunisation timetable.