childhood diseases -
meningitis c

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. There are two types - viral and bacterial. Viral meningitis isn’t usually very serious and clears up on its own without treatment. Bacterial meningitis is very serious, and can be fatal if not treated promptly. There are at least 50 kinds of bacteria that cause meningitis. The most common ones are:

Meningococcal bacteria: These bacteria now cause most cases of bacterial meningitis in Britain. Meningococcal infection can lead to meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) or both. Both diseases are extremely dangerous. In England & Wales, about 200 people a year die from meningococcal infection. We will consider meningococcal bacteria in more detail in a moment.

Pneumococcal bacteria: These are the second biggest cause of bacterial meningitis in Britain. They more often cause earache, pneumonia and other less serious illnesses. More on this later.

Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib): These bacteria used to be the most common cause of meningitis in children under 5, but cases dropped by 90% after the introduction of the Hib vaccine in 1992. However there has been a small increase of Hib meningitis cases recently. See chapter 6 for details of the Hib vaccine.

Group B Streptococcal (GBS): These bacteria are the main cause of meningitis in newborn babies. Up to 90% of babies who get this form of meningitis survive, and half of those suffer no significant after effects.

Meningococcal Bacteria

As we’ve already stated, these bacteria are the most common cause of meningitis in Britain today. There are several types of these bacteria, but in the UK, there are only 2 major groups that cause the disease:

Group B: Meningitis caused by this group of bacteria is known more commonly as meningitis B, and accounts for 60-65% of meningitis cases. It is the most deadly strain of meningitis, and as yet there is no vaccine.

Group C: These lead to meningitis C (30-35% of cases). The meningitis C vaccine was introduced in 1999/2000. Britain is the first and at present, only country in the world, to vaccinate against meningitis C.

Another group, Group W135, is on the increase, with over 100 cases per year in the UK. This coincides with outbreaks amongst pilgrims to Mecca, and close family contacts in the UK of these pilgrims have often been affected.

Many of the meningitis-causing bacteria that we have discussed live harmlessly in the mucous in the back of the nose and throat in 1 in 10 of the population and in up to 1 in 4 young adults in schools, colleges and military barracks. Most people are not affected by the bacteria at all and are simply carriers with no symptoms. Indeed these bacteria may prevent more dangerous types of meningococcal bacteria getting into the body. However, if the immune system is weak, the bacteria can pass either into the bloodstream, and cause septicaemia (blood poisoning), or into the brain causing meningitis. We do not know what makes certain people susceptible. The bacteria are weak and don’t live outside the body for more than a few minutes, so meningitis is only spread by close contact.

Infection by meningococcal bacteria is extremely dangerous. Between 1975 and 1995, almost 1 in 10 of those people who were infected with the bacteria, died. As we’ve already mentioned, meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis, septicaemia or both. Both can be fatal if not treated immediately. Here we list the symptoms of each disease. If you suspect your child has either disease, get medical help immediately.

Symptoms of viral meningitis

Viral meningitis is much milder than bacterial meningitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and nausea. It is like a bad case of flu, and as we’ve said, will clear up on its own but always get a diagnosis from your doctor.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis symptoms come on very suddenly, so prompt action is vital. First of all your child will have a high fever with vomiting, a severe headache and a stiff neck. He’ll start shivering, and have cold hands and feet. He’ll begin rapid breathing, be intolerant to light, feel drowsy, he’ll have stomach and joint pains and a rash. In babies you may also see a bulging fontanelle, (the soft spot on top of his head). His body will be stiff with jerking movements, and he’ll give a fretful shrill cry if disturbed. He’ll suffer a loss of appetite and have pale blotchy skin.

Symptoms of septicaemia

If the bacteria enter your child’s bloodstream, they rapidly cause septicaemia, which is very dangerous. Septicaemia causes the red blotchy rash under the skin, which can be tested for using the ‘Glass Test’. Press a glass tumbler onto your child’s skin over the rash. If the skin remains red despite the pressure, then this is a sure sign of septicaemia and very fast action must be taken.

What is the treatment for meningitis or septicaemia?

If you suspect your child has meningitis or septicaemia, you must go to hospital IMMEDIATELY, where antibiotics will normally be given while the situation is assessed. The earlier the treatment is given the better the chances of your child’s survival. About one in every twenty people with meningitis, and one in five people with septicaemia will die.