How does infant get meningitis

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.

The Hib , measles, mumps, polio , and pneumococcal vaccines can protect against meningitis caused by those germs. Kids also should get the meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenACWY when they're 11 or 12 years old, with a booster shot at age Kids older than 11 who haven't been vaccinated also should be immunized, particularly if they're going to college, boarding school, camp, or other places where they'll live in close quarters with others.

This includes kids who:. A newer type of meningococcal vaccine called MenB protects against a type of meningococcal bacterium not covered by the older vaccine. Kids 10 years and older who have a higher risk for infection should get this vaccine. Others who are not at increased risk may also get it between the ages of 16 and 23 preferably between 16 through 18, which is when the risk of getting infected is highest.

The decision to get the MenB vaccine should be made together with their parents and the doctor. You do not always get all the symptoms. You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could have meningitis. Call NHS or your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis. Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell.

Learn More. Symptoms in toddlers. Symptoms in young adults. Young people and students are the next most at-risk group. What is the 'meningitis rash'? So, what actually is it? Read the blog. The infection is most commonly caused by the following bacteria:. Sometimes bacterial meningitis occurs in newborns when the bacteria enter the body through cuts or punctures in the scalp. The cuts or punctures can be caused by instruments that are used for delivery or by probes that are stuck to the scalp.

Older children with bacterial meningitis usually develop a stiff neck and have a headache. Newborns rarely develop a stiff neck and are unable to communicate specific discomfort. In newborns, important signs of illness that should alert hospital staff or parents to a possibly serious problem include. Signs of sepsis Sepsis in Newborns Sepsis is a serious bodywide reaction to infection spread through the blood.

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,