Table of Contents

1. Bacterial Meningitis
2. Lice
3. Healthy Kids -Don't be bugged by Lice

BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord--also called the meninges. Viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria can cause it. Viral (aseptic) meningitis is common; most people recover fully. Medical management of viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is usually no indication for the use of antibiotics. Parasitic and fungal meningitis are very rare. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and may involve complicated medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support management.

 There are two common types of bacteria that cause meningitis: 

 What are the symptoms?

 Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.

 Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have: 

In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The symptoms are a sign of blood poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with meningitis, particularly the meningococcal strain.

How serious is bacterial meningitis?

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability, such as deafness, blindness, amputations or brain damage (resulting in mental retardation or paralysis) even with prompt treatment.

How is bacterial meningitis spread?

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).

The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks or even months. Being a carrier helps to stimulate your body's natural defense system.

The bacteria rarely overcomes the body's immune system and causes meningitis or another serious illness.

What is the risk of getting bacterial meningitis?

The risk of getting bacterial meningitis in all age groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000 populations per year. However, the highest risk group for the most serious form of the disease, meningococcal meningitis, is highest among children 2 to 18 years old.

How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood. Spinal fluid is obtained by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?

Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.

Vaccines against pneumococcal disease are recommended both for young children and adults over 64. A vaccine against four meningococcal serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) is available. These four groups cause the majority of meningococcal cases in the United States. This vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90%). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5 years.

What you should do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?

Seek prompt medical attention.

For more information

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas Department of Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine.

Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of Health: www.tdh.state.tx.us

Lice

Healthy Kidsbrought to you by Children's Mercy Hospital

Don't let your kids be bugged by head lice. It sounds much worse than it really is. But don't try to explain that to the children who get it or the parents who have to deal with it.

The topic is head lice. And talk about being bugged!

"Lice is often more of a nuisance than anything else," explains Dr. Ken Wible, chief of General Pediatrics at Children's Mercy. "It is one of the most common treatable conditions among school-aged children. But it can be prevented and treated if necessary. 

" Head lice are tiny insects smaller than sesame seed that live on the scalp. They have translucent, gray bodies that turn red when they fill with blood. Head lice can survive on the scalp for about three weeks. In that time, the female lays eggs (or nits), which incubate on the child's body and then hatch.

The lice then mate and produce more eggs. Unless treated, this cycle repeats itself every three weeks.

Head lice are spread through direct contact with an infected child or through shared items such as hats, brushes, combs, headrests, pillows or headphones. Teach your children not to share these items.

It doesn't matter how clean your home is, or your child Among possible symptoms of lice:

        1) Regular, consistent scratching of the -head, especially the back
            of the head.  
        2) A rash on the scalp, shoulders, back of the neck or behind the
            ears. 
        3) Swollen glands behind the neck.

If your child has lice, you should consult your pediatrician about treatments, which include lice shampoos, hair lotions or rinses.

Some treatments are available only by prescription, but others are available over the counter. Most kids can be free of lice within hours of treatment.

Other tips in dealing with lice:.
 
      1)  To prevent re-infestation, it's a good-idea to check all members 
           of the family and treat everyone who is infected at the same
           time.
      2)  Wash in hot water and machine dry any clothes your child has 
           worn in the past two days!
      3)  Do the same type of washing and drying to all towels, bedding 
           and stuffed animals the child uses.
      4)  Hairbrushes and combs should be soaked in hot water for 10
           minutes.
      5)  Don't worry about disinfectant sprays or extensive vacuuming. 
           If lice have fallen from the scalp they are dead or dying.
           You'll need to retreat your child seven to 10 days after the 
           first treatment, when any eggs that were not killed the first
           time will hatch.
      6)  If you don't notice any improvement after two treatments,
           they probably are re-infested.