Meningitis- A comprehensive first aid guide

One of the most frequently asked topics requested for Dynamo Training Solutions, when delivering paediatric first aid courses, is meningitis. This guide has been designed to ensure that parents, as well as people who work with infants, and children are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis and summon the emergency services.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It must be important to understand that meningitis can affect anyone but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults.

Meningitis can be extremely serious if it is not treated quickly. Meningitis can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

There are a number of vaccinations available that offer some form of protection against meningitis.

How is meningitis spread?

Meningitis is usually caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that may cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing

• coughing

• kissing

• sharing utensils, cutlery, and toothbrushes

Meningitis is usually caught by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but aren't ill themselves. Meningitis can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.

Symptoms of meningitis

There are many symptoms of meningitis, these can develop suddenly and can include:

• a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F)

• Joint and limb pain

• being sick

• a headache when the infection develops.

• a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won't always develop)

• a stiff neck

• a dislike of bright lights

• drowsiness or unresponsiveness

• seizures (fits)

• babies may have a high-pitched, moaning, or whimpering cry. They may be floppy and have a

tense or bulging soft spot on the top of the skull known as the fontanelle.

These symptoms can appear in any order and some of these symptoms may not appear.

When to get medical help

• You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you're concerned that you or your child could

have meningitis.

• You MUST trust your instincts and don't wait until a rash develops.

• Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department

immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.

Call the 111 service or your GP surgery for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.

What to do while waiting for medical help to arrive?

• While waiting for help to arrive, start to treat their fever.

• Check the casualty to see if they have a rash. If they do, you can do the glass test. Most rashes will

fade if you press the spots with the side of a glass. If they do not fade, call 999 or 112 for

emergency help at once.

• While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them cool. Give them plenty of

water to replace fluids lost through sweating. Monitor their level of response.

How do the professionals treat meningitis?

People with suspected meningitis will usually have tests in hospital to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the condition is the result of a viral or bacterial infection.

Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in a hospital for at least a week. Treatments include:

• antibiotics are given directly into a vein.

• fluids are given directly into a vein.

• oxygen through a face mask.

• Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within 7 to 10 days and can often be treated at home.

Getting plenty of rest and taking painkillers and anti-sickness medication can help relieve the symptoms in the meantime.

Outlook for meningitis

Viral meningitis will usually get better on its own and rarely causes any long-term problems.

Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery, although some are left with serious, long-term problems. These can include:

• hearing loss or vision loss, which may be partial or total.

• problems with memory and concentration.

• recurrent seizures (epilepsy).

• coordination, movement, and balance problems.

• loss of limbs – amputation of affected limbs is sometimes necessary.

• Overall, it's estimated that up to 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.

Dynamo Training Solutions provide fully comprehensive first-aid training throughout London, Kent, and the South East. Dynamo Training Solutions provides many resources, including this one, Meningitis- A comprehensive first aid guide