Question 1

the mts-bacterial meningitis in infants is usually caused by what?

Accepted Answer

Neonatal meningitis: Ecoli and group b streptococcus are the two most common causes of meningitis in infants.  Women are now screened during pregnancy to see if they are carriers and if a women is screen positive she is give antibacterial agents during delivery to prevent infection in her baby and herself.  Less commonly, staphylococcus, enterococcus & listeria occur.  Neisseria meningitis (seen in adults) is rare.

Question 2

why are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis in infants and young children?

Accepted Answer

The classic stiff: Neck, arched back, lethargy, irritability and high fever, often after a respiratory infection (pneumonia) or especially ear infection.  Once started, head ache, vomiting are also part of the symotims from blocked ventricles and elevated intracranial pressure.

Question 3

what are the chances of a infant  surviving bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Very good: Survival is not really the issue.  Survival without permanent damage is the major goal.  When meningitis is suspected, aggressive treatment is quite effective most of the time.  However, many of these children will be left with permanent neurological problems.  We are getting better at limiting these problems.

Question 4

family member is currently in a coma for over 1 wk after right hemorrhagic stroke. he developed hydrocephalus that required continuous drainage. his drain tube was occluded and needing changing twice. now has bacterial meningitis. what is prognosis?

Accepted Answer

: Sorry that your relative is in such critical shape.  Unfortunately, intracranial bleeding has a very high mortality, and the complications you describe are not uncommon.  Discuss situation with the medical team.  An EEG might convey some objectification of current brain status.  Hope for the best.

Question 5

how dangerous is the disease bacterial meningitis in a baby?

Accepted Answer

Potentially fatal: Although we have seen a great reduction of the bacterial meningitis frequency in the us since the introduction of the hib vaccine in the '90's, bacterial meningitis does still occur and may be devastating.It is more common in unvaccinated populations & includes several agents.The case fatality & complication rate varies with the germ and how quickly treatment is started.

Question 6

is a baby able to get bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Although it is thankfully rare, it can be life threatening.  Generally a baby with meningitis will be extremely ill. Obviously, if you ever have such a concern, have your baby evaluated immediately.

Question 7

baby head is burning hot, but forehead n body pretty cool could this be bacterial meningitis, and he consantly hits himself in the head and bangs his?

Accepted Answer

More info needed: If you want us to render a diagnosis we at least have to have a temperature to go on. Touch and feel temperatures are meaningless.

Question 8

why i s there "acute" bacterial meningitis? is there such a thing as mild bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

No: Just like there is not a mild form of  the black plague. A little poison is still poison.

Question 9

my niece often goes to college parties and drinks from anyone and everyones cup. how likely is it that she can get bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

: Meningitis is not likely in that scenario, but not impossible. Since college students are going to be college students, all you can do is advise against it. However, the Meningitis vaccine is advised for college age students and she should have that, for sure. Good luck.

Question 10

my 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

Accepted Answer

: A  toddler touches objects/the floor/bugs/debris and puts their fingers in their mouth routinely. They have an estimated 100+ exposures/day to a variety of germs. In spite of this normal behavior it is rare for any of them to get meningitis. If you had him vaccinated properly the big risk germ is no longer an issue. Worry if you want. I consider it not than worth the effort.

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Doctor answers about:

Bacterial meningitis in infants prognosis

A member asked:

The mts-bacterial meningitis in infants is usually caused by what?

A member asked:

Why are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis in infants and young children?

A member asked:

What are the chances of a infant surviving bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

Family member is currently in a coma for over 1 wk after right hemorrhagic stroke. he developed hydrocephalus that required continuous drainage. his drain tube was occluded and needing changing twice. now has bacterial meningitis. what is prognosis?

A member asked:

How dangerous is the disease bacterial meningitis in a baby?

A member asked:

Is a baby able to get bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

Baby head is burning hot, but forehead n body pretty cool could this be bacterial meningitis, and he consantly hits himself in the head and bangs his?

A member asked:

Why i s there "acute" bacterial meningitis? is there such a thing as mild bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

My niece often goes to college parties and drinks from anyone and everyones cup. how likely is it that she can get bacterial meningitis?

A member asked:

My 2 yr old drank of another childs sippy cup right after the child drank from it. what are the chances of her catching bacterial meningitis? does it live long once outside the body? its rare,1 and 10 carriers, what if this kid is a carrier? worry?

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