What Causes Bacterial Meningitis in Children

Bacterial meningitis is a rare infection that attacks the meninges that shroud the brain/spinal cord. It is a potentially deadly infection and one that can be contagious as well. It is caused by a bacterial infection, as the name implies, that started somewhere in the body, for example in the sinuses, and made its way to the brain through the bloodstream (Understanding Meningitis -- The Basics, 2015). Thus, in the individual it spreads through the bloodstream, and from person to person, it can spread through close contact, sneezing, or coughing.

There are different bacteria strains that can cause meningitis, such as: pneumococcus (the most common cause in both young children and adults in the U.S., and typically begins as pneumonia or ear/sinus infection); meningococcus, which starts as a respiratory infection that spreads through the bloodstream and is very contagious, mostly found in teenagers and can spread quickly like an epidemic in dormatories, boarding houses, etc.

Haemophilus influenza is a bacterium that used to be the most common form in children, and Listeria monocytogenes is another bacteria found in cheeses and lunch counter meats that can impact people with weak immune systems or pregnant women. In the U.S. there are approximately 4000 cases of bacterial meningitis per year, 500 of which result in death (Thigpen et al., 2011).

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are high fever, headache, stiffness in the neck that prevents the patient from lowering the chin to the chest, confusion, seizures, loss of appetite, swelling in the head in young children. Symptoms occur rapidly within one day of the onset of infection. If unchecked, the infection can quickly progress and death can result (Cleveland Clinic, 2015). The most susceptible people depends on the age group (all age groups are susceptible).

Newborns are most susceptible to Group B Streptococcus and Listeria monocytogenes; infants and children are most susceptible to Streptococcus pneumonia and meningitides as well as the influenza. Teens are most susceptible to meningitides and strep; and older adults are most susceptible to streptococcus pneumonia, meningitides, and listeria monocytogetnes. Exposure does not immunize but it can reduce the risk, which is why vaccination is recommended (Bacterial Meningitis, 2014). To protect themselves, health professionals recommend that individuals vaccinate for meningitis by getting the meningococcus, pneumococcus and Hib vaccines.

When in close contact with infected persons, doctors recommend antibiotics, which can limit the risk of contagion. Also, having healthy diet and exercise habits can keep the immune system working and strong, which aids in the warding off of bacterial infections and their spread. Drinking and smoking are unhealthy activities that can harm the immune system and make it more susceptible to infection.

As with any vaccine there are always risks but in this case doctors suggest that the reward far outweighs the risk of the body having a negative reaction to the vaccine. To protect children from getting bacterial.