What are the warning signs of childhood meningitis? As Jimmy Carr reveals he almost died as a child
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When he was a young child, Jimmy Carr almost died due to meningitis according to the comedian himself.
In a recent appearance on the Where There's A Will, There's A Wake podcast hosted by Kathy Burke, the individual, who is 51 years old, revealed that they had been hospitalized and treated for a serious illness as a young child in Ireland. They also shared that they had nearly lost their life as a result of the illness.
He recalled saying, "To be kind, sometimes you have to be harsh," which his mother found amusing.
"When I was a kid, I had meningitis which made my first vivid memory a lumbar puncture experience in Limerick's General Hospital. I was around three back then, and from what I was told, my condition was life-threatening and I was on the edge of death."
The physician said something along the lines of, "This will be extremely uncomfortable." I vaguely recall the expression and replied with a childlike tone, "Sometimes you have to be harsh to be kind."
Carr stated: "I valued the experience of life because I was constantly informed that I almost didn't survive."
What is childhood meningitis? And which signals should parents and guardians pay attention to? Can you explain meningitis?
According to Dr. Stuart Sanders, a general practitioner at The London General Practice, meningitis is a contagious illness that targets the brain.
Sanders stated that bacterial infections, including meningococcus which is the most severe type, pneumococcus, tuberculosis, and haemophilus bacteria, are potential causes.
Other viral infections like enteric, mumps, or herpes viruses can also lead to meningitis; however, these are often less severe. In rare cases, a fungus may be the culprit, but it wouldn't manifest as a sudden or severe sickness.
What are the indicators that someone could be suffering from meningitis? Typical signs may involve a fever, aching head, rigidity in the neck, hypersensitivity to light, feeling sick to the stomach, and on occasion, throwing up.
Sanders mentioned that some individuals could experience a minor skin rash that won't disappear when pressing on it with a glass. Furthermore, people might feel disoriented, drowsy, or have seizures. Even though babies and toddlers might not display distinctive symptoms, they usually have a stiff neck.
The spread of meningitis is highly infectious. Typically, the infectious agent inhabits the nostrils and/or the throat, which makes the transmission possible through close proximity, coughing, or sneezing.
What are the methods of diagnosing and treating meningitis?
According to Sander, meningitis is an extremely grave sickness, and the individual should be brought to the hospital as soon as possible for confirmation and treatment. This is because patients, especially young children, may worsen unexpectedly quickly.
Immediate hospitalization is necessary for carrying out various diagnostic tests such as blood examinations, throat swabs, and lumbar puncture to analyze the spinal fluid.
When the patient is not getting better, it is recommended to perform further examinations. After conducting immediate tests for infection, urgent administration of intravenous antibiotics is necessary.
If a child is facing severe circumstances, they may experience "clinical shock", stated Sanders. This would indicate the necessity to begin "life support measures", which could include intravenous fluids, corticosteroids, or the administration of oxygen.
He went on to say that there are situations where difficulties can lead to fatalities or injuries to the brain. The outcome can depend on which section of the brain is affected, how serious the infection is, and if other conditions such as dehydration or blood poisoning are present.
What are some ways to avoid meningitis?
It is vital to keep yourself well-informed about the vaccinations included in the NHS children's vaccination programme, including the one for meningitis. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to consult with your physician.
According to Sanders, individuals who haven't been vaccinated for meningitis, those who have underlying medical conditions or ongoing infections, and young children are the most vulnerable to meningitis.
Additionally, the expert noted that it can be challenging to diagnose meningitis in young children and babies due to atypical symptoms and indications. Therefore, in the United Kingdom, it is recommended to include vaccines against meningococcus, pneumococcus, and haemophilus as a vital component of the National Health Service's immunization schedule for infants and children.
