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You have surely already heard of this disease. Its initial symptoms at the start of the illness are not clear-cut, and therefore it happens that you confuse this disease with an ordinary cold. However, the disease is very aggressive and can cause a person’s death within a few days.
Meningitis is a disease also known as inflammation of the meninges. Meningococcus is a bacterium that spreads between people by droplet infection – coughing, a runny nose, kissing and other mouth contact. However, not everyone who carries this bacterium becomes ill.
The most at-risk group are children, who up to the age of 5 do not yet have sufficiently developed immunity and whose bodies cannot defend themselves as well. We bring you a home guide on how to recognize it, including 7 other significant and most common symptoms.
1/ Skin rash
A skin rash is also a common symptom of meningitis. We bring you a simple test that reveals whether it is this disease. Take a clear glass cup and gently press it against the rash until the skin pales. If the rash fades along with the skin, it is not meningitis. However, if the rash does not change color, it is this disease.
Of course, a rash does not appear in every case. You will achieve a correct diagnosis, at least a suspicion of this disease, by combining and monitoring the other accompanying symptoms as well.
2/ Fever
The first and basic symptom is fever. The fever rises quickly and the child has chills. It is very difficult to reduce the fever in such a sick child. Since fever is a symptom of many illnesses, pay attention to the other symptoms as well.
3/ Severe headache
The headache is intense and can be located in several parts of the head. It can also affect the neck and shoulders. In newborns you should also pay attention to the fontanelles (soft spots – the ligamentous connections on an infant’s head at the places where the bones that form the skull meet). A common symptom is precisely a bulging fontanelle.
4/ Double vision
If you have meningitis, a common symptom is also double vision. The affected person cannot focus well.
5/ Stomach pain, nausea
The child loses its appetite and has stomach pain. They feel nauseous and may vomit.
6/ Sensitivity to light
The child is sensitive to bright daylight, their eyes tear and their headache intensifies.
7/ Muscle contractions
Most often the child lies on their side, throws their head back and has legs drawn up. When you try to straighten them, their muscles are stiff and they return to the original position.
8/ Inability to straighten the legs
If you manage to extend the child’s head, their legs immediately curl up and you cannot keep them in a straight position. Even if you lift the child’s leg up to a 90 ° angle, they will not straighten it.
What to do if you suspect meningitis?
If you notice these symptoms, call medical help immediately. Calm the sick child and let them rest. They need quiet and dimmed light in the room until the doctor arrives. Definitely do not underestimate this disease and do not refuse hospitalization for the child. Only in a hospital and under constant medical supervision do you have the assurance that your child will recover quickly.
Prevention against meningitis also includes vaccination, which, however, is not mandatory here and the patient pays for it themselves.
