The viral infection does not always require hospitalization and, in milder cases, it allows recovery at home. The treatment relieves symptoms, which refer gradually and is taking medication, rest and fluid intake. By contrast, in bacterial meningitis, usually caused by pneumococci, the treatment is carried out with intravenous antibiotics as soon as possible, and liquids to replace lost energy and corticosteroid drugs to reduce inflammation of the meninges. To complications such as seizures, lower blood pressure or respiratory failure, additional treatments are applied.
If left untreated these complications can develop long-term sequelae such as hearing or vision problems, learning problems, or even cardiovascular disease. However, if it can tackle the disease at an early stage, sufferers often recover completely.
Experts insist that the best treatment is prevention. Several vaccines are now available accepted but is working on new formulations. In those days the University of Navarre issued a new pneumococcal vaccine, the 13-valent, which theoretically extends the protection of its predecessor, the heptavalent. This new vaccine can be administered to children up to 5 years.
If you confirm the warning signs included in this British study, could become part of the upcoming “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Meningitis and Sepsis in Children and Adolescents,” sponsored by the Ministry of Health GuíaSalud Spanish and by the Aragonese Institute of Health Sciences. Is scheduled to go live in late 2011 and its main purpose is uniform throughout Spain for its diagnosis and treatment. In its development work Spanish experts who will review the guides already available, such as those distributed in the United Kingdom.
MOST INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Meningitis occupies an important place in the field of infectious diseases in childhood. In the Pediatric Symposium IV, held recently in Manchester, has warned that these childhood diseases are on the rise for several reasons. Pollution, poor nutritional habits or climate change are among the risk factors in early life of an infant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the infant rate exceeds 60% of the adult population. These figures can have serious consequences for premature babies, when defenses are low.
Digestive and respiratory diseases (such as pneumococcal meningitis) are most common in infants and children under 2 years, after congenital malformations and cardiovascular complications. This symposium also highlighted the importance of detecting signals indicative of the presence of infectious disease. The importance of the baby to sleep for a long time or suddenly fall from their sleep.