Mere mention of the word strikes terror into the hearts of parents but it is treatable if you get help quickly. Dr Kerry Robinson explains diagnosing and treating meningitis

Parents are all too aware that children can be struck down with this life-threatening disease, without warning. Some cases make the headlines because the symptoms weren’t recognised early or a diagnosis came too late and a child died. While meningitis is a serious life-threatening illness, it is treatable and, being better informed about the disease may help save your child’s life.

For a checklist of what to look for see: see signs and symptoms of meningitis.

The word meningitis means inflammation of the meninges, which is the lining of the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The bugs usually get to the meninges via the blood from some other place, such as the throat. If the bug infects the blood then it’s called septicaemia, and both septicaemia and meningitis can occur at the same time.

Different types of meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is generally more serious and there are two main types of bacteria causing meningitis: Meningococcaland Streptococcal.

Within the meningococcal group there are two main sub-groups – often just called meningitis B and meningitis C. There’s been an increase in the number of cases of meningitis caused by the Meningococcal bacteria in recent years and a rise in meningitis C, particularly in the 18-19 year age group. The meningococcal bacteria can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) and this is the most serious form of the disease.

Viral meningitis is not, in general, as serious as bacterial meningitis but it is more common. There’s no specific treatment for viral meningitis because the body gets rid of the infection itself.

What treatment is available?
The main treatment is antibiotics, given directly into a vein. Before a doctor gives your child antibiotics they will want to be sure what they’re treating. To arrive at a diagnosis they will take blood tests, and they may perform a lumbar puncture. This involves putting a needle into your child’s back and taking a sample of their CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) – the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Sounds dangerous, but doctors do these procedures every day.

Antibiotics will not help meningitis caused by viruses. For this the treatment is painkillers because the body gets rid of the infection itself.

Will my other children get it?
The bugs are passed from person to person through coughing or sneezing, sharing a glass or kissing. They do not live outside the body for long, so can’t be picked up from water supplies or swimming pools.

Close members of the family who’ve been in contact with meningitis will be given antibiotics. School friends don’t require antibiotics unless several people have been affected at the school.

Up to 25% of adolescents and 11% of adults carry the bacteria naturally, usually at the back of their throats, without getting ill. We don’t yet know what triggers the disease in some people and not in others.

What is the long-term outcome?
Meningitis can cause further complications in a small percentage of children. These include:

• Deafness – your child’s treatment will be followed up with hearing tests
• Epilepsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Learning difficulties
• Skin problems if the rash was very extensive

In 1999 a nationwide programme was introduced to immunise against meningitis C. It is currently being given along with a baby’s first set of immunisations, or to children when they enter school or college. Scientists agree that the vaccination is highly effective and it has already reduced disease rates by over 70% in the age groups that were first targeted for vaccination.

There is no vaccine for Group B, the other major form of the disease, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

For help and advice call the 24 hour helpline: 080 8800 3344