How to Tell if a Child Has Meningitis

As a parent, one of your biggest fears may be over your child developing meningitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most commonly caused by either a bacterial or viral infection, but it can be also be caused by cancer, an immune disease or a negative reaction to medication. It usually affects children between the ages of birth and 2 years old, but can occur in people of all ages. If you are worried that your child may have meningitis, there are certain questions that you can ask yourself to help determine if you should take your child to the nearest emergency room. If left untreated, serious cases can result in death. The symptoms for viral meningitis are generally milder than its bacterial counterpart.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep track of your child's eating habits. Small infants may experience a decrease in their fluid intake. Breastfed and formula-fed babies generally eat about six to eight times per day, but some formula-fed babies may eat less since formula takes longer to digest. If you notice any change in your child's eating habits, inform your child's doctor.

• 2

  Is your child experiencing nausea and/or vomiting? Infants can experience vomiting, while older children may complain of nausea as well since they can vocalize what they're feeling.

• 3

  Does your child have a fever? If your child is under 6 months of age and experiencing a fever of over 100.2 degrees F, or is over 6 months of age and experiencing a fever of over 102 degrees F, call your child's doctor.

• 4

  Is your child acting more lethargic than normal or acting as though he is confused? Some children will even complain when picked up or rocked.

• 5

  Does your infant having a bulging fontanel? The fontanel is the soft spot located on the top of an infant's head. Some cases of bulging fontanel are caused from vomiting, crying or lying in a prone position. If you pick your baby up and the bulge disappears, chances are the baby is fine. However, if your child is experiencing a fever and drowsiness in addition to the bulging fontanel, you should take her to the emergency room.

• 6

  Has your child experienced seizures? If seizures are not part of your child's normal life, this is a good indicator that something is wrong.

• 7

  Is your child complaining of headaches? Some children will develop a headache from meningitis.

• 8

  Is your child shying away from lights? Children afflicted with meningitis can develop a sensitivity to lights.

• 9

  Is your child complaining that his neck is stiff or painful? Is he having a hard time turning his head? When bending his neck, does he automatically draw his knees up to his chest or complain of pain? This condition is part of meningitis and is called the Brudzinski sign. When bringing his knees up to a 90-degree angle, is your child unable to straighten them back out? This condition is also part of meningitis and is called Kernig sign.

• 10

  Does your child have a rash? In cases of viral meningitis, a child can develop a skin rash.

• 11

  Does your child's skin, whites of their eyes or mucous membranes appear yellowish? Jaundice is another sign of meningitis in infants.