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Meningitis is a serious condition for which immediate medical attention must be sought. In this article: What is meningitis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Effect on your life Treatment How Chemist Online can help Advice & Support What is meningitis? When the lining that covers the brain and spinal chord becomes inflamed, meningitis is diagnosed, the cause usually being established as being a viral or bacterial infection. Meningitis is a serious condition (particularly in children). The difficulty with spotting meningitis is that the symptoms can be very similar to those associated with cold or flu. However, if your baby has a bulge in his or her fontanelle (the soft area at the top of the head) then this can be a strong indication of meningitis and you should seek immediate medical assistance. Symptoms As well as the aforementioned symptoms/indicators, other symptoms of meningitis in babies and small children can include: Shrill crying Unusual moaning Refusal of food Lethargy Fever and chills Rejection of adults when being held or handled Fast breathing patterns Irritability An unnatural stiffness of body or an unusual floppiness Sleepiness which is a deeper sleep than normal, making the infant more difficult than usual to wake up Cold hands and feet Pain in the hands, legs and feet Blue lips Pale complexion Causes Babies and small children are much more susceptible to being infected with viruses and bacteria (than adults) due to their immune systems not being as strong or as fully developed yet. That said, the exact cause of why the particular meningitis virus and bacteria affects infants is as yet unknown. (Note: In adults, the infection/bacteria is spread through coughing, sneezing, and sharing personal possessions such as toothbrushes and/or gargle cups in the bathroom.) Diagnosis If your child is suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, seek immediate medical help. Do not wait for an appointment with your GP to become available, go immediately to the A&E department of your local (or nearest) hospital. Awaiting the results of diagnostic tests can take several hours, so it is important that your child is examined by trained medical professionals as soon as possible. Once a confirmed diagnosis of meningitis has been established, an appropriate treatment will be recommended for your child. Effect on your life Obviously, it can be extremely upsetting and worrying for any parent to receive a confirmed diagnosis of meningitis in their child. And also to witness their child struggling to cope with the symptoms of meningitis can also be hugely upsetting. The good news is that most cases of meningitis pass with appropriate treatment and leave no lasting affect. Treatment Meningitis is usually prevented through routine vaccination. However where a bacterial infection of meningitis occurs, this is treated by intravenous antibiotics in an intensive care unit. How Chemist Online can help Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy which can help ease the symptoms of illnesses and conditions common in babies and children. www.chemistonline.co.uk Advice & Support Meningitis Research Foundation Tel. 080 8800 3344 Website: www.meningitis.org Meningitis Trust Tel: 0845 6000 800 Website: www.meningitis-trust.org This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.
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