A doctor on April 22 urged people to be aware of symptoms of meningitis.
Citing a recent case, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital pediatrician Huang Szu-wei (黃斯煒) said that the parents of a five-year-old girl who had a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting, thought she had gastroenteritis, but she was later diagnosed with meningitis.
The girl had been sleepy and her symptoms persisted for several days, but her parents only sought medical attention after she began talking incoherently and slipped in and out of consciousness, Huang said.
The parents took her to the hospital’s emergency room, where doctors performed a lumbar puncture, enabling them to diagnose her with meningitis, he said.
Meningitis is a bacterial or viral infection causing inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Common symptoms include headache, nausea and confusion.
The condition can lead to serious complications in children if not treated quickly, Huang said, adding that meningitis sometimes results in permanent brain or nerve damage.
However, the condition is often misdiagnosed, as its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, he added.
Huang said early symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of common cold.
Parents should pay attention to warning signs of meningitis: Continuous severe headache, with painkillers bringing no relief, continuous severe pain even after the fever subsides, gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and decreased consciousness, Huang said.
Symptoms of decreased consciousness are inability to speak coherently, a lack of energy and difficulty waking up, he added.
Huang said parents should seek medical attention for their child immediately if they observe those warning signs.
There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis, so supportive therapy is prescribed in most cases, he said.
Bacterial meningitis is often more serious, but can be treated with antibiotics, he said.
As the microorganisms that cause meningitis can be transmitted through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from infected people, or direct contact with their feces, or contaminated objects or surfaces, people should wear a mask in crowded public areas and frequently wash their hands thoroughly to prevent infections, Huang said.
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