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- Headache
- Extreme irritability
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Neck pain
- Photophobia (pain resulting from looking at bright lights)
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- Bacterial Meningitis can be caused by several different species of bacteria.
- The most common species are specific to the age of the child:
- The first two months of life -- Group B Streptococcus, gram-negative enteric bacilli, and Listeria monocytogenes
- Children two months-12 years of age -- S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, or H. influenzae type b
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- Newborn infants under one month old; individuals with intracranial surgically implanted devices; and those with spina bifida and similar diseases are at greater risk for meningitis.
- People with certain immune system diseases, including AIDS, are also at increased risk for meningitis.
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- Diagnosis is usually made by taking samples of spinal fluid obtained by a lumbar puncture, or "spinal tap."
- All pediatricians, and most physicians, in the United States are trained in, and comfortable with, this procedure. When done by an experienced doctor, it is safe and has a minimal risk of complications.
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- Therapy for meningitis requires intravenous antibiotics for a period of ten days to four weeks.
- Because of the severity of the condition, this treatment is usually given in a hospital.
- Depending upon the cause of the infection, oral antibiotic treatment for family members and household contacts may also be needed to prevent them from developing the infection.
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- Untreated, meningitis can result in permanent disability and death.
- If treated appropriately, most children with meningitis will do very well. However, there are significant risks for long-term problems, including deafness and developmental delay. These risks vary with the age of an individual patient, and the organism responsible for the infection.
- Because of these risks, children
with a history of meningitis should be followed closely by
their doctors so that problems can be identified early and
appropriate interventions can be started
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- See your pediatrician immediately
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