MENINGITIS- CONVULSIONS in children - prevention and treatment

 MENINGITIS

This is a serious disease because it affects the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. It may be caused by different varieties of bacteria. Until the advent of sulfa medicines and antibiotics, meningitis was one of the most fearsome diseases. Now, if treated early, it can usually be cured. Also, when epidemics threaten, medicines can be given to prevent spread. There are no successful vaccinations against the common forms of meningitis. 

The typical meningitis attack produces high fever, severe headache, convulsions, violent vomiting, and drowsiness or complete unconsciousness. There may be a skin rash. The neck and back muscles may become stiffened and painful. The brain, eyes, or ears may be permanently damaged. A doctor should be notified immediately or the child rushed to a hospital if the doctor cannot be reached, so treatment can be started before he is located. Meningitis is highly contagious, so those who have the disease must be isolated. 

Parents who must be in contact with a child suffering this disease must be treated by their doctor. To prevent further spread, they should follow their doctor's orders carefully about cleaning the room and the belongings of the meningitis patient.

CONVULSIONS

Convulsions may indicate onset of serious disease such as meningitis, but this is not necessarily true even when there is high fever. So potentially serious, however, is the combination of convulsions and fever that medical attention must be obtained without delay. Fortunately, many cases turn out to be meningismus false or simulated meningitis. For example, during pneumonia and other illnesses, there may be enough irritation of the brain to set off convulsions. However, as soon as the pneumonia or other infection is brought under control, the convulsions disappear; Convulsions without fever may indicate epilepsy