How do I know if my toddler has meningitis?

The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. Red ticks show symptoms more specific to meningitis and septicaemia and less common in milder illnesses.

How does toddler get meningitis?

What causes meningitis in a child? Meningitis is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection that moves into the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that protects and cushions the brain and spinal cord. A fungus or parasite may also cause meningitis.

Is viral meningitis contagious NHS?

The infection is usually spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but are not ill themselves. The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common. It’s possible to get meningitis more than once.

How do babies get bacterial meningitis?

Your baby can get meningitis when bacteria, viruses, or a fungus infecting another part of their body travels in the bloodstream to their brain and spinal cord. Out of 1,000 live births, about 0.1 to 0.4 neonates (a baby less than 28 days old) get meningitis, estimates a 2017 review.

What does a meningitis rash look like in toddlers?

Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters. The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth.

Can a toddler get meningitis if vaccinated?

Types of meningitis: viral and bacterial Bacterial meningitis (several types of bacteria are involved) is a very serious disease. It occurs rarely in developed countries (because of the success of vaccines), but when it does occur, children under the age of two are at greatest risk.

Are meningitis rashes itchy?

Unlike many common rashes, the meningitis rash isn’t itchy. As children’s skin is typically more sensitive than adults’, a lack of scratching can be a bad sign. Since such a rash is quite prominent and can look pretty nasty, it will often seem quite unusual that a child isn’t scratching it.

How high is a fever with meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include: a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F)

What are the early symptoms of meningitis?

sudden high fever and chills

headache

stiff neck

purple areas on the skin that look like bruises

What are the symptoms of spinal meningitis?

Fever

Headache

Stiff neck

How do you treat meningitis in infants?

Bed rest

Increased fluid intake by mouth or IV fluids in the hospital

Medicines to reduce fever and headache. Don’t give aspirin or medicine that contains aspirin to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by your child’s provider.

Supplemental oxygen or breathing machine (respirator) if your child has trouble breathing

What is a viral meningitis?

Viral meningitis is inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges (subarachnoid space) when it is caused by viruses. Viral meningitis usually begins with symptoms of a viral infection such as fever, a general feeling of illness, headache, and muscle aches.