Bilirubin is a yellow substance formed when hemoglobin the part of red blood cells When older infants or young children have seizures, they often In some newborns with meningitis, increased pressure of the fluid around the brain may make the fontanelles the soft spots between the skull bones bulge or feel firm.
A doctor diagnoses bacterial meningitis by removing a sample of spinal fluid obtained through a procedure called a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography EEG is a simple, painless procedure in which The fluid is analyzed, and if there are any bacteria in that sample, they are examined and grown cultured Culture of Microorganisms Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Doctors suspect an infection based on the person's symptoms, physical examination results, Doctors also take a sample of blood to be cultured and analyzed. Doctors may also do the PCR Polymerase chain reaction PCR Genetic diagnostic technologies are scientific methods that are used to understand and evaluate an organism's genes. See also Genes and Chromosomes. Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic The PCR test looks for the genetic material of the bacteria and enables doctors to rapidly identify the bacteria.
A doctor may do an imaging test such as ultrasonography Ultrasonography Imaging tests of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract include ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography CT , magnetic resonance imaging MRI , endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography In modern scanners, the x-ray detector usually So if you see symptoms or think that your child could have meningitis, it's important to see the doctor right away.
If meningitis is suspected, the doctor will order tests, probably including a lumbar puncture spinal tap to collect a sample of spinal fluid.
This test will show any signs of inflammation and whether the infection is due to a virus or bacteria. Most cases of viral meningitis end within 7 to 10 days.
Some people might need to be treated in the hospital, although kids usually can recover at home if they're not too ill. Treatment to ease symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medicine. If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed — or even suspected — doctors will start intravenous IV antibiotics as soon as possible.
Fluids may be given to replace those lost to fever, sweating, vomiting, and poor appetite. Complications of bacterial meningitis might need extra treatment. Someone with shock or low blood pressure might get more IV fluids and medicines to increase blood pressure. Some kids may need extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation if they have trouble breathing. Bacterial meningitis complications can be severe and include neurological problems, such as hearing loss, vision problems, seizures , and learning disabilities.
Because impaired hearing is a common complication, those who've had bacterial meningitis should have a hearing test after they recover. The heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands also might be affected, depending on the cause of the infection.
Although some kids develop long-lasting neurological problems, most who get a quick diagnosis and treatment recover fully. Routine immunization can go a long way toward preventing meningitis.
Pneumococcus bacteria can cause meningitis and other serious infections, such as pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine is typically given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by a final dose between 12 and 15 months of age.
This vaccine is usually not given to babies, but to children 11 years of age and older. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Before this vaccine became available, mumps was a common cause of viral meningitis, especially in babies and children.
Measles can also cause meningitis. Newborns have not yet received all their vaccines, and their immune systems have not developed fully. Therefore, it is often advised to avoid people and places that may expose a baby to higher amounts of germs. Help protect babies from meningitis and other illnesses with these tips:. Also, do not expose babies to cigarette smoke, which may increase the risk of getting viral or bacterial illnesses, such as meningitis.
Meningitis symptoms can come on quickly and rapidly become serious in babies. Extreme fussiness without obvious cause, a fever, excessive sleepiness, or a rash should be checked by a doctor immediately. Although meningitis can be serious, most babies will recover from viral or bacterial meningitis with proper medical care. Milia, or milium cysts, are common in newborn children but can also affect adults. They are small, white spots that appear on the skin. They often…. Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby before one years of age.
Sleeping position may be a key factor. Listeriosis is an infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is rare in humans but can be…. Neonatal meningitis can also be caused by Escherichia coli E. Pregnant women are among those at high risk for developing listeriosis, a food-borne illness that results from contaminated foods like soft cheeses, hot dogs, and luncheon meats.
Listeria can be passed on through the birth canal during pregnancy. Because neonatal meningitis can be fatal, any infant showing symptoms should be taken to the emergency room immediately. Signs of neonatal meningitis may include:. When doctors suspect neonatal meningitis, the newborn will have a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap , a procedure in which a needle is inserted in the back to withdraw spinal fluid for laboratory examination.
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