This article explains the signs and symptoms of
meningitis in children, the treatment and what you can do as a parent to help your child with
meningitis.
What is meningitis? : Types of meningitis : What are the signs & symptoms of meningitis? : What is the treatment for menengitis? : Risks & complications of meningitis : What can I do about meningitis? : Useful articles
Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. If you suspect your child may have contracted this disease you need to seek urgent medical help:
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Call your doctor, or
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Call an ambulance, or
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Take your child straight to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.
Meningitis means inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord.
There are two types of meningitis:
- viral meningitis is rarely life threatening and will clear up within a week with good nursing care,
- bacterial meningitis is potentially life threatening.
You need a skilled doctor to be able to make the diagnosis between the two forms of meningitis and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the outcome for your child. What makes bacterial meningitis so serious is its ability to develop dramatically over a few hours and turn into a form of septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can cause widespread damage to the body – and even death.
Just why some children and young adults develop meningitis is unclear - many people carry the germs that cause bacterial meningitis in their nose and throat, without it doing them any harm. A link has been made with overcrowding, households where people smoke, and meningitis.
The incubation period (time from exposure of the germs until the illness develops) is 2 - 10 days for bacterial meningitis and up to 3 weeks for viral meningitis.
- Meningococcal meningitis – a serious form of the bacterial illness. The meningococcal B bacteria accounts for around 93% of meningitis cases in New Zealand. The meningococcal B vaccine is available to children in New Zealand.
- Pneumococcal meningitis – usually affects children under two and is another serious bacterial illness which can be linked with ear and chest infections
- Haemophilus influenzae B or HIB is another form of bacterial meningitis
- E.Coli and some streptococcal bacteria can also cause meningitis in newborn babies
In the beginning the symptoms of meningitis may mimic those of the flu. Not all the symptoms will necessarily show up at once. The disease can become worse very quickly.
In babies signs and symptoms of meningitis are:
- Refusing to take feeds – may be vomiting
- Irritability – baby is fretful and may not like being handled
- A high pitched cry or moaning whimper
- Difficult to wake
- Skin that is pale, blotchy and maybe clammy
- Your baby is drowsy and their arms and legs are either floppy or stiffer than normal
- Their fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of the head where the skull bones do not meet) may be tense and bulging
- Lying with their neck extended
- Dislike of bright lights
- Fever – though hands and feet may remain cold
- Blank expression
In children signs and symptoms of meningitis are:
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Dislike of bright lights
- Loss of energy
- Fever
- Confusion, drowsiness
- Flu-like aches and pains
- Meningitis can cause convulsions in children and adults
A rash is also another significant sign of meningitis and needs to be taken very seriously. It may not appear until late in the progression of the disease or may not appear at all, so if you are worried about your child, do not wait for a rash to appear. Call the doctor even if you have not seen a rash.
The rash can be:
- Red/purple pin point spots or
- Large bruises and purplish/red marks
- Press a drinking glass against the rash – if you can still see the rash through the glass, get your child to a doctor or hospital immediately
Your child needs hospital treatment to determine what kind of meningitis they may have. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics (that go straight into the vein), painkillers and other medications that might be needed. A child with bacterial meningitis needs intensive medical and nursing care.
Because the illness is contagious, the medical team will also need to know who your child has been in close contact with over the previous 10 days, so these people can be alerted and treated with oral antibiotics.
Viral meningitis, usually the less serious form of the disease, is normally treated with good nursing care.
At its worst, bacterial meningitis can cause permanent deafness, brain injury or death. Seek help early to avoid these outcomes, remembering that meningitis can mimic flu in the early stages.
Immunisation is now available for meningococcal B disease - known as MeNZB - and is recommended by the Ministry of Health in New Zealand (see
Immunisation section for more information).
- Teach your children to minimise their risk of exposure to meningitis by not sharing drink bottles or eating utensils and food.
- There is another form of serious meningitis (amoebic) that can be contracted by putting your head under water at geothermal pools. As a good health practice, teach your children not to do this.
- Viral meningitis can be contracted through coughing and sneezing, poor hygiene practices and being in contact with sewage infected water - a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition helps protect your child against infectious diseases
New Zealand has a meningitis helpline you can call on
0800 611 116
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Useful Articles
http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/meningococcal
The Ministry of Health for New Zealand offers advice on meningitis on its website
For more information on meningitis visit this link to an excellent quiz!
www.immunise.moh.govt.nz/resources/quiz.html
Our Kiwi Families articles on Immunisation include information on where to go, what to expect and informed consent on immunisation for children.
Kimberley Paterson is a writer and public relations expert living in Whangaparoa.
Kimberley had an initial career as a registered NZ nurse and has spent the last 20 years writing about health and well being.
Article Meningitis written by Kimberley Paterson.