Meningitis in Children
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Meningitis in Children Overview
Meningitis is a term used to describe an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or the spinal cord. Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can rapidly progress to permanent brain damage, neurologic problems, and even death. Doctors need to treat meningitis to decide the exact cause of the problem and to prevent or reduce any long-term effects.
- The inflammation causing meningitis is normally a direct result of either a bacterial infection or a viral infection. However, the inflammation can also be caused by more rare conditions, such as cancer, a drug reaction, or a disease of the immune system.
- Normally, meningitis causes fever, lethargy, and a decreased mental status (problems thinking), but these symptoms are often hard to detect in young children.
- If the infection or resulting inflammation progresses past the membranes of the brain or the spinal cord, then the process is called encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- The highest incidence of meningitis is between birth and 2 years, with the greatest risk immediately following birth and at 3-8 months. Increased exposure to infections and underlying immune system problems present at birth increase a child's risk of meningitis.
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Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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Meningitis in Children
Brain Infection Overview
Our brain, the spinal cord, and its surrounding structures could become infected by a large spectrum of germs (that is, microorganisms). Bacteria and viruses are the most common offenders. Parasites, fungi, and others can infect the central nervous system (CNS), although more rarely.
- Location: The infecting germ causes an inflammation of the area invaded. Depending on the location of the infection, different names are given to the diseases.
- Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges-the surrounding 3-layered membranes of the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid it is bathed in, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself.
- Myelitis actually means a spinal cord inflammation.
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Meningitis, Bacterial »
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening illness that results from bacterial infection of the meninges.
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