Similar symptoms, but relatively severe
Prevention through personal hygiene such as hand washing
Meningitis has symptoms similar to common colds or enteritis, but has relatively severe symptoms. If your child has a high fever and a headache, pay attention to whether it is a simple cold or meningitis.
[아시아경제 이관주 기자] The symptoms of meningitis are very similar to the common cold, so it is often mistaken for a ‘summer cold’. It is similar to the symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever and headache. In particular, the incidence increases in summer, and children under the age of 10 are more likely to get it. Most get better without special treatment, but acute complications may occur, so caution is needed.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on the 6th, as of 2020, there were 43,648 days of outpatient or hospitalization for meningitis, among which children aged 0-9 accounted for 15.5% (6804 days).
The meninges are literally the membranes that surround the brain and serve to protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis occurs when the meninges become infected with viruses and bacteria and become inflamed. Enteroviruses account for 80% of all viral meningitis.
Meningitis caused by enteroviruses occurs mostly in summer and early autumn. It usually has an incubation period of 4-6 days. Fever, headache, and vomiting are the main symptoms. A high fever of 38 degrees or higher suddenly occurs, and the headache comes from the front of the head or the entire head.
Viral meningitis usually gets better without any special treatment. However, if the brain tissue (cerebral parenchyma) is invaded, acute complications such as convulsions or increased intracranial pressure may occur in about 10% of children under 2 years of age.
Antibiotics are essential for bacterial meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacillus influenzae, and meningococci are the most common causative agents of bacterial meningitis. For prevention, Hib vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and meningococcal vaccine are helpful.
Professor Kim Young-dae of the Department of Pediatrics at Ilsan Paik Hospital said, “The symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of the common cold, so we need to carefully examine whether our child is a simple cold or meningitis. .
Professor Kim continued, “As the heat continues, children with weakened immunity become more vulnerable to viral infections. It is necessary to take care of kitchen tools,” he emphasized.
Reporter Lee Kwan-ju [email protected]