What Is Pediatric Meningitis? - Healthline

Meningitis refers to inflammation around the brain and spine, often due to viral or bacterial infection. The infection causes swelling in the meninges, which are thin layers of tissue around the brain and spinal cord. If untreated, meningitis can be life threatening.

Pediatric meningitis describes the disease's effects in infants, children, and teens. Meningitis can occur in people of all ages, but newborns and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk.

Two key vaccines, MenB and MenACWY, protect against strains of bacterial meningitis, the most dangerous kind. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these vaccines for all kids 11 to 12 years old, with a booster later. They also recommend the Hib vaccine for all kids under 5 years old. This vaccine has been very effective at reducing meningitis mortality rates in children.

We'll go over how to recognize the signs of meningitis in different age groups, what treatment methods are available, and how you can protect yourself and your kids.

Children are particularly at risk for certain strains of bacterial meningitis, especially infants. This is because their immune systems are less developed.

Per the CDC and Children's National Hospital, the most common symptoms of bacterial meningitis in infants and babies include:

• fever
• irritability
• not feeding well
• vomiting
• sleeping too much
• slow reflexes
• inconsolable crying
• a bulging fontanel, which is the soft spot on a baby's head
• seizures, due to high fever
• rash

Symptoms of meningitis in older children, teens, and adults may look like:

• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• irritability
• back and neck pain or stiffness
• headache
• lethargy
• sensitivity to light
• rash
• confusion
• seizures

In a meningitis infection, a pathogen invades the cerebral spinal fluid, the fluid that protects the brain. While parasitic and fungal types of meningitis do occur, most cases are viral, followed by bacterial.

The bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis can spread through respiratory droplets, throat secretions, and other bodily fluids. This means coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing utensils can transmit the infection.

Viral meningitis

Viral meningitis is usually mild and resolves on its own with no serious long-term effects. However, it's still a good idea to contact your doctor if you notice any symptoms. Experts say that viral meningitis can be particularly dangerous for newborns, children, older adults, and immunocompromised people.

Viruses that can cause meningitis include:

Meningitis can develop as a complication of a more commonly known illness, like chickenpox or the flu. Accordingly, vaccines against these diseases can also help protect you against meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is always a medical emergency and requires antibiotic treatment. Experts say that its mortality rate is 10 to 15 percent. Without treatment, its mortality rate can be up to 70 percent, according to the CDC. Long-term health complications include hearing loss and brain damage.

The most common types of bacteria that can cause meningitis include:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), newborn babies are at the highest risk of getting meningitis from group B streptococcus. Young children are at higher risk of getting meningitis from meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Hib.

Other bacteria can also lead to meningitis, such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, tuberculosis, and Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Group B streptococcus is often carried in the human gut or vagina, and can spread from parent to child during birth.

People usually get sick from E. coli and L. monocytogenes (listeria) when they eat food that is contaminated with the bacteria.

A doctor will conduct a physical exam, and ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will likely want to know if you've been on any recent trips to countries or regions with a high rate of meningitis, or if you've had contact with anyone who has the infection.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis, as the symptoms are similar. Doctors usually confirm meningitis and its cause based on lab tests.

These include:

• blood tests analyzed for signs of infection
• blood cultures to help determine which virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite is causing the infection
• lumbar puncture or "spinal tap," in which fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is extracted and tested
• CT scan, which provides detailed images of your head and chest to look for signs of inflammation associated with meningitis

Treatment will depend on the cause of the meningitis. Most infants, children, and teens with mild viral meningitis get better on their own within 1 week to 10 days, according to the CDC. However, those with a more serious viral infection may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous (IV) antiviral medications.

Fungal infections are treated with IV antifungal medications.

Treatment for bacterial meningitis includes oral or IV antibiotics and corticosteroids. Severe cases require long-term hospitalization.

Anyone can catch meningitis. However, age and preexisting medical conditions put some people uniquely at risk of getting the disease, or dying from it.

Those considered particularly at risk of contracting viral or bacterial meningitis include:

• children under 5 years old
• immunocompromised people, including those with HIV, in chemotherapy treatment, or recovering from a surgery
• people missing a spleen
• first-year college students living in a dorm
• military recruits
• people traveling to countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where the CDC says infection rates are high

College and military service often require up-to-date meningitis vaccination. These are considered high risk environments, where a lot of people live together in close quarters, making infections spread faster.

Prevention of meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis, through vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the burden and impact of the disease, according to WHO.

Vaccines that protect against viruses such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, and the flu can also prevent viral meningitis. Therefore, it's safest to remain up to date on all your vaccinations.

The CDC recommends bacterial meningitis vaccines to age groups depending on their risk factors. Many bacterial meningitis vaccines are routine for children and teens.

Here's a breakdown:

Keep in mind that vaccines are not a cure for meningitis, but a tool of protection. They train your body to fight a bacteria it hasn't met yet.

Vaccines do not protect against meningitis infections from all strains of bacteria. There is still a chance a vaccinated child can develop bacterial meningitis. However, a vaccinated person is likely to have a much milder course of disease, and much lower chance of death.

A doctor may also recommend taking antibiotics as a precautionary measure, known as prophylaxis, if you or your child is in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

To help prevent meningitis in newborns, pregnant people can get tested for group B streptococcus when they are 36 to 37 weeks pregnant. If you test positive, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics during labor. These can help prevent group B strep from being transmitted to the newborn.

Anyone can catch meningitis. But infants and children are at a higher risk because their immune systems are more vulnerable. The same is true of older adults, or those with preexisting health conditions.

For teens and young adults going to college, traveling to certain countries, or entering military service, getting vaccinated against meningitis is often recommended or mandatory. This helps protect them and others in crowded or high risk environments.

Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis, but bacterial meningitis is more serious. It can lead to long-term complications, including hearing loss, brain damage, and trouble with reflexes. It is a medical emergency that requires hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics.

Several vaccinations are available to help prevent bacterial meningitis in children and teens, most commonly MenACWY and MenB. These shots have drastically lowered mortality rates due to meningitis across the world.

Talk with your healthcare team about vaccines available for preventing meningitis, and eligibility. If you or your child is sick or showing possible symptoms of meningitis, contact your doctor right away.