With the report that an Upstate fourth grader may have died from bacterial meningitis, parents here are worried and Director if Infectious Disease at the Greenville Hospital System's Children's Hospital says she understands why.
Dr. Robin Lacroix says, "When you know that there has already been a case physicians will be looking very carefully at children who present with symptoms that might be compatible."
She says this type of meningitis is very rare. "The bacteria is not easily transmitted. Not even as easily as the common cold. Children have to have fairly close contact.
But what exactly qualifies as close contact?
She says, "We feel like close contact is eating drinking kissing sharing close respiratory secretions is considered close contact."
Dr. Lacroix says these are the symptoms your child may have if they come down with meningitis.
A very bad headache, high fever, stiff neck, vomiting and drowsiness.
She says if you catch it early enough it can be treated.
She says, "It is very treatable there are a number of good antibiotics that are available and initiated early with good supportive medical care treatable and recoverable."
She also adds that if your child has not been vaccinated for bacterial meningitis there are two available that have a very high success rate.
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