What's the best treatment for meningitis? In the case of viral meningitis, there is none. A baby's immune system is usually strong enough to neutralize the virus quickly, and no treatment is necessary. But your doctor may still want to keep your baby in the hospital for a few days to monitor his symptoms. Otherwise, you can soothe your little one's misery as you would flu symptoms, with rest, plenty of liquids, pain relievers, and pampering.
Bacterial meningitis is another story. To banish this more insidious invader, doctors flood the bloodstream with strong antibiotics such as cefotaxime and vancomycin. Babies often have to spend up to two weeks in the hospital connected to an IV. Many are even fed through the IV if they're feeling really sick. The whole regimen is overwhelming for parents, but it cures the disease about 85 percent of the time, provided the illness is diagnosed within the first day or so that symptoms appear (the disease progresses at different rates in different people). That's why calling the doctor as soon as you suspect meningitis is so important. Any delay in treating bacterial meningitis puts a child at risk for deafness, mental retardation, or death. How do babies get meningitis? No one knows. The bacteria that cause meningitis are already present in the mouth and throat of many healthy children and adults, and don't cause any problems. Doctors have identified some babies who are at higher-than-normal risk: those with abnormal immune systems or sickle-cell disease, for example, as well as babies who've had serious head injuries or have had lots of exposure to cigarette smoke and a history of lung infections. Babies under the age of 2 are more susceptible than older children are because their immune systems are still developing. Some babies contract a particularly virulent strain of meningitis during birth if the mother is infected with Group B Strep bacteria. That's why pregnant women are tested for this bug. If it is present, the baby is given antibiotics at birth and spends his first few weeks in the hospital. For the rest of the family, the good news is that meningitis is usually not nearly as contagious as the flu. Only those in very close contact with the sick child (parents, siblings) need to pay attention to the kissing, the coughs, the wiping of bottoms. Wash those hands in hot water after each exposure. Adults don't often develop meningitis, but it does happen. Is it preventable? Not 100 percent so. The most important thing you can do is have your baby vaccinated. Make sure your baby receives a vaccine against the once-common culprit, Haemophilus influenza Type B, or Hib (it's usually give at 2, 4, and 6 months, with a final dose between 12 and 18 months). The Hib shot, which has been a part of standard immunization in the United States since 1987, has sharply reduced the incidence of childhood meningitis. If you suspect that your baby is particularly susceptible, ask your pediatrician about other shots. A vaccine is now available to ward off Pneumococcus bacteria, which cause the most common and deadly form of meningitis. A shot for Neisseria, which cause the second most insidious type, is currently used in high-risk children and in the case of outbreaks. ---------from baby center------ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Listen to your Yahoo! Mail messages from any phone. http://phone.yahoo.com >> Kirim bunga dukacita, ucapan selamat dll ke mancanegara? Klik, >http://www.indokado.com/international/ >> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com Etika berinternet, email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
