Categories: Parenting

Meningitis; Bacterial Versus Viral Infections in Children

Throughout the school year there looms a common health concern among health care professionals, parents and educators; efficient identification of meningitis and the method by which to control an outbreak. Because bacterial and viral meningitis symptoms so commonly reflect that of the common flu, many children with either form of meningitis continue to attend school while ill, commonly leading to infection other children thereby creating a mini epidemic. For educators and parents, understanding the symptoms of both bacterial and viral meningitis, the treatment and options for preventing infection in other children, will ensure a more productive and healthy school year.

Because bacterial and viral meningitis so often present as general flu symptoms, many parents and educators do not realize the full extent of a child’s diagnosis until the condition is fully symptomatic. Symptoms of both bacterial and viral meningitis differ from the flu in a variety of ways including onset of extreme stiffness in the neck and an inability to tolerate any level or degree of lighting. However, because bacterial and viral meningitis symptoms are also exhibited as vomiting, fever and nausea, flu is often assumed to be the culprit of the child’s malaise and fatigue. For parents, caution should be taken when the child begins complaining of neck pain or an inability to tolerate exposure to light as this may be an indication of a more severe infection of bacterial or viral meningitis.

Bacterial, unlike viral, meningitis can become fatal within several hours, if not treated successfully. With this fact, many parents need to understand the mechanism by which meningitis can become a significant health risk to a school age child. In either bacterial or viral meningitis infections attacking the spinal fluid, the infection travels rather quickly to the brain resulting in swelling and significant neurological impairment. With viral meningitis, the risk are less severe with some patients recovering without significant treatment. However, understanding the type of meningitis the child is suffering from is crucial to determining the appropriate treatment avenue. For children suffering from bacterial meningitis, treatment is required and, without treatment, the condition can lead to lifelong implications including seizure and death.

When a child is exposed to meningitis, or confirmed as suffering from a meningitis related outbreak, the health care provider will generally recommend the child remain quarantined until the risk of infection has passed. For many children, this is a frightening experience as the child, in some case, may need to isolated from other family members. At the child’s school, the administration will distribute information regarding the nature of the child’s infection and provide other parents with information regarding treatmet and warning signs to ensure all children are properly treated and diagnosed. For the protection of the child, and under regulation by HIPAA privacy laws, the identification of your child will remain private.

As with any contagious infection, seeking medical attention as early as possible may be crucial in ensuring a speedy recovery. In children exposed to viral or bacterial meningitis, understanding the symptoms, requirements for treatment as well as the method for school communication and prevention will ensure parents and educators remain aware of any potential meningitis outbreatk.