Meningitis and Septicaemia

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by either a virus or bacteria.

Viral meningitis is usually mild and does not require medical treatment. Bacterial meningitis however can be life-threatening and can come on very quickly. Children under five are most likely to be affected and sadly some of these will die.

There are several types of bacteria that can cause meningitis, the most common being meningococcal bacteria. Most of us carry this bacteria in our noses and throats without becoming ill. The bacteria can be passed through kissing, sneezing and coughing. Only if the bacteria reaches the blood stream does the person contract meningitis and/or septicaemia - most people who get meningitis will also get septicaemia.

Mercifully, meningitis and septicaemia cases are quite rare. However, it is important to know the symptoms as early treatment is vital.

Symptoms

  • High temperature - above 99.5°F/37.5°C.
  • Extreme sleepiness - difficulty in waking baby.
  • Headache.
  • Staring expression.
  • Dislike of bright lights.
  • Stiff neck.
  • Difficulty breathing, or fast breathing.
  • Shivering.
  • Vomiting.
  • Purpley-red or brown rash.
  • Cold hands and feet.
  • Bulging soft spot (fontanelle).
  • Blotchy skin getting paler or turning blue.
  • A high-pitched or moaning cry.
  • Abnormally stiff body with jerky movements.

A septicaemia rash usually starts as purpley-red or brown pinpricks on the skin anywhere on the body. To check whether the rash is a sign of septicaemia, press a clear glass against the rash. Other rashes will fade, if this one does not do so it is likely to be septicaemia.

****************************************************************
Author: Tony Luck who runs a site with advice about everything to do with babies and a gift store specializing in personalized ceramics - greeting cards (yes, ceramic greeting cards!) and commemorative plates.

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story%3Fid%3D5966909%26page%3D1cid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNGoSt0KqEksn-BCkhoJbBKkW6PxPAimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=_zHilX8P_ngJimgurl=a.abcnews.com/images/Health/ap_ford_mykey_081006_mn.jpg width=80 height=60 alt= border=1brfont size=-2ABC News/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/519728.html%3Fnav%3D5004cid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNFiAcI-fwlXZCAscbXDtcBq1UchBQbParenting/b and technology — is it protection or control?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMinot Daily News,nbsp;NDnbsp;-/font nobr19 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Big Brother may be keeping a closer eye on you soon, with help from your bparents/b. Thanks to a new feature that will be standard on some 2010 Ford models, b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/007890.htmlcid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNFbw-hWHk6Za8pvq0xc8iF_9Hs2_QMyKey Turns Your Ford Focus into Your Mom/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrPC World/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/3147296/Parents-to-control-how-fast-children-drive.htmlcid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNEgMK9r-IV_zJ3TzBFpB9ZZXL_DywbParents/b to control how fast children drive/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrTelegraph.co.uk/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/car-tech/ford-launches-mykey-parental-controls-for-cars-474055cid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNHp6I0VqQ6Gf4H24KDLubN0OaUzkwFord launches MyKey parental controls for cars/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrTechRadar.com/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/young-at-the-wheel-and-at-risk/%3Fhpcid=1254838181ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNHXNPZsPijTBSIlT2II-wSbcfDJxAnobrNew York Times/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1254838181hl=ennobrall 855 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/10/06/news/100708lradoptionban.txtcid=1255049213ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNGQhgFctTsMbFlQvH9X_iCv1ZnUlgRetired Judges Oppose Adoption, Foster bParenting/b Ban/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fThe Morning News,nbsp;ARnbsp;-/font nobr17 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-11 would limit the ability of every Arkansas judge to choose custodial bparents/b who would serve the best interests of vulnerable children, the group said in a b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/20081007/NEIGHBORS01/810079951/-1/NEIGHBORScid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNGvdVNk0s0IHyq3bEQGLXBaqSL6HwAttend first of five bparenting/b talks/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNashua Telegraph,nbsp;NHnbsp;-/font nobr9 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bParent/b-to-bParent/b and the Milford Police Department will present the first of a series of five bparent/b-planned interactive talks for bparents/b of elementary and b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.pr-inside.com/author-shares-method-for-parenting-on-r848042.htmcid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNFZCs5Mk1BbpCDpQMTsq2WU1bAI8gAuthor shares method for #39;bParenting/b on Purpose#39; to benefit children/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung),nbsp;Austrianbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By extending his advice to bparents/b and guardians of children between the ages of birth and ten, he empowers them through his own encounters and special b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/lifestyles/local/article/advocacy_center_helps_with_challenges_of_parenting/39850/cid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNHAijZw3ZArv-NKlwFU9jXfrfwoAgAdvocacy center helps with challenges of bparenting/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fDothan Eagle,nbsp;ALnbsp;-/font nobr13 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1However, most bparents/b struggle to meet these requirements daily with little guidance and support, according to Liz Martin, program director at the Southeast b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.digtriad.com/news/gms/article.aspx%3Fstoryid%3D111993%26catid%3D67cid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNEuKrerTxDMAO7y0Kt8V9pYBQcvFwbParenting/b Wisely: Sibling Rivalry amp; Assertive Discipline/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWFMY News 2,nbsp;NCnbsp;-/font nobr12 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1This week, the bParenting/b Wisely seminars in Thomasville take on sibling issues. bParenting/b expert Terri Nelson joins us this morning. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.dailynet.de/International/26906.phpcid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNGFG7jLEAlLYkKFxkMX0AuEh48QCgG+J launches quot;bParenting/b Networkquot; as first transnational online project/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fDailynet,nbsp;Germanynbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1October – G+J International is establishing a new international bparenting/b network, based on the German ELTERN.de website, in a move which represents G+J#39;s b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.modbee.com/1597/story/454590.htmlcid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNEIAKk6y0hAE5yF7X6XHwpNUCzOiQbParenting/b Tips/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fModesto Bee,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobr13 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Tom McMahon One of the biggest mistakes bparents/b make is not following through with a threat or rule. Kids know immediately that they don#39;t have to comply b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/20081007/OPINION/810070307/1005cid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNHglcfrpCAhkdyLPUY6o_0dZ4XgZwTen things I#39;ve learned about bparenting/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fRankin Ledger,nbsp;MSnbsp;-/font nobr17 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Leilani Salter I f you were a fan of our bparenting/b Web site, mississippimoms.com, you#39;ve probably noticed that it has changed. It#39;s now momslikeme.com b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-1080-Kentucky-Bible-Study-Examiner~y2008m10d6-Psychic-anyonecid=0ei=lvrrSJzpGKbU6gOU9LzxDgusg=AFQjCNE_wU1U5ld3p4wNkt6L53ZdqX6ITQEarly Childhood bParenting/b Examiner/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobr11 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1by Tim Edwards, Kentucky Bible Study Examiner In the book of Acts, the scriptures records an interesting event relating to a psychic. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
parenting - Google News

Three Tips to Get Children with Sleeping Problems Asleep

According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More

Mutants or Clones?

In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More

Cooking With Your Kids Helps Develop Motor Skills for Preschoolers

Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More

Breastfeed a Toddler - Why?

Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: The Bottom Line Issues

Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: When is it OK to Quit?

Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More

Public-School True Believers with a Mission

One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More

Diet Sodas And How They Can Affect Kids

Many of us have grown up drinking caffeinated diet sodas... Read More

Stop, Look, Listen! Steps to Better Parenting Communication

As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More

Is Your Teen Stressed? Teach Them How to Manage Their Time, Schoolwork, and Leisure Activities

I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More

Responding to Criticism Without Being Defensive

In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More

End Homework Battles

Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More

Unique Baby Names

What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More

How To Teach Your Children Social Skills

As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More

Ease Bug Bites with Easy Herbs

Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More

Exposing the Damage: TV and Kids

There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More

Swing Sets and Outdoor Play Equipment- 5 Essential Tips Before You Buy

For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More

Normal and Logical Consequences

Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More

Give Your Child Life Skills for a Lifetime

Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More

Some Thoughts on Counseling Goals for ADHD

What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More

Child Separation Anxiety: Does Your Child Have It?

If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More

Teach Your Children - Without Them Knowing They Are Learning!

The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More

Dealing with Lying: The Dos and Donts

Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More

Teenagers in America Today

"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More

The Graceful Art of Defrazzling - For Mothers

"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More