Meningitis and septicaemia in children Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.
Answers to questions about meningitis and septicaemia in children
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email. This section will expand over time.
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Meningitis and septicaemia in children Childhood immunisation Meningitis and septicaemia in adults |
- Will my child definitely have a rash if he/she has meningitis?
- If my child has been vaccinated, he/she can't get meningitis. Is that right?
- Do the meningitis vaccines have any risks?
- Is there any reason why my child shouldn't have the meningitis vaccines?
- My child has had meningitis. Should I be treated?
Will my child definitely have a rash if he/she has meningitis?
Answer
No, there are many causes of meningitis and many won't produce a rash. A rash is one of the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis, but your child won't necessarily have it.
Explanation
If your child has a fever and spots that don't fade when you press them with a glass (the 'tumbler test'), you should seek medical help immediately. It's important to remember that it's possible to have meningitis or septicaemia without a rash. If your child has other symptoms, don't wait for the rash to develop before seeking urgent medical help.
Bear in mind that the rash might be anywhere on your child's skin, so you should look carefully all over his/her body, including under the nappy. The rash starts as pinprick spots but rapidly spreads to look like bruising. The rash can be harder to see on darker skins. Look on pale areas such as the palms of your child's hands and soles of the feet.
Sources
- Meningitis information. Signs and symptoms. The Meningitis Trust. www.meningitis-trust.org, accessed 7 July 2008
If my child has been vaccinated, he/she can't get meningitis. Is that right?
Answer
No. The meningitis vaccines don't protect against all types of meningitis, so you should still look out for the symptoms.
Explanation
In the UK, meningitis is most commonly caused by a bacterium Neisseria meningitides. There are three strains of this bacterium, called the A, B and C strains. The meningitis vaccination only protects against the A and C strains, not against the most common strain, which is B. If your child catches the B strain of the infection, he/she can still get meningitis. Other bacteria and viruses can also cause meningitis. If your child has the symptoms of meningitis, you should seek urgent medical advice, even if he/she has been fully vaccinated.
Sources
- Immunisation against infectious disease: The green book. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 15 August 2008
Do the meningitis vaccines have any risks?
Answer
It's possible that your child may have some side-effects as a result of the meningitis vaccines, but these are usually mild.
Explanation
The meningitis vaccines have greatly reduced the number of people who develop bacterial meningitis. The benefits certainly outweigh the risks.
It's quite common for the meningitis vaccines to cause pain, tenderness or redness where the vaccine was injected, but this is usually mild. Your child may also develop a slightly raised temperature. Young children may be more likely to cry, be irritable or drowsy after vaccination. Your child may also go off his/her food temporarily, have disturbed sleep, vomiting and diarrhoea. Older children may have headaches, muscle aches and drowsiness.
Your child may develop a mild allergic reaction, such as a temporary rash. It's very rare, but occasionally the vaccines can cause dizziness, fits, faints and floppiness.
Extremely rarely, your child may have a serious allergic reaction leading to anaphylaxis. This is when the airways from the lungs become swollen and make breathing difficult. All clinics or surgeries that offer vaccines must stock emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.
You may wish to give your child painkillers such as paracetamol (eg Calpol) or ibuprofen syrup (eg Nurofen for children). Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Sources
- Immunisation against infectious disease: The green book. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 15 August 2008
Is there any reason why my child shouldn't have the meningitis vaccines?
Answer
No, it's very unlikely that your child won't be able to have the vaccines.
Explanation
In general, the only reason why your child shouldn't receive the meningitis vaccines is if he/she has had an anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine in the past.
If your child has a food allergy or other allergy, he/she will still be able to have the vaccinations.
It's usually fine for your child to have these vaccinations at the scheduled time even if he/she has a mild illness, such as a runny nose, as long as he/she doesn't have a fever. If your child has a fever or is more unwell, your GP or nurse may advise you to postpone having the vaccine until he/she is fully better.
If your child has a long-term medical condition, he/she will probably have a greater need for the meningitis vaccine because such conditions can weaken the body's ability to fight off infections. Ask your GP for advice about your child's specific condition.
Sources
- Immunisation against infectious disease: The green book. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 15 August 2008
My child has had meningitis. Should I be treated?
Answer
Yes, if your child has had suspected or confirmed bacterial (meningococcal) meningitis, you will need to take preventive treatment.
Explanation
If you have been in close contact with a child with meningitis - such as living in the same house - you should see your GP. The highest risk of developing meningitis is within seven days of the child falling ill, but it's possible to become ill up to a month later. Taking a preventive course of antibiotics can stop this happening. You will probably be given a medicine called rifampicin to take twice a day for two days. Always ask your GP for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
If your child has meningitis caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) and there are other young children, or an adult who has a condition that means his/her immune system is weakened, in the same household, they may also need to have a course of preventive antibiotics. You won't usually need to have treatment with preventive antibiotics if you have had contact with a child who has had pneumococcal meningitis (caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae).
You may also be offered the meningitis vaccines.
Sources
- Immunisation against infectious disease: The green book. Department of Health. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 15 August 2008
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: September 2008
Meningitis and septicaemia in children factsheet
Visit the meningitis and septicaemia in children health factsheet for more information.
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