Headache, vomiting, fever: 7-year-old boy diagnosed with meningitis.

At the National Children's Hospital, doctors at the hospital's Center for Tropical Diseases have recently admitted and treated many hospitalized children with meningitis, primarily caused by Enterovirus.

For example, consider the case of a 7-year-old boy in Hanoi. One day before being admitted to the hospital, the child experienced intermittent headaches, accompanied by vomiting and fever. The family took him to a medical facility for examination. There, doctors suspected he had meningitis and transferred him to the National Children's Hospital for treatment.

A child with viral meningitis is being treated at the hospital. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

Upon admission to the hospital, doctors promptly conducted clinical examinations and diagnostic tests. The results showed a high concentration of white blood cells, primarily lymphocytes, in the child's cerebrospinal fluid, and a positive PCR test for Enterovirus.

After 5 days of treatment following the protocol for viral meningitis, the child is alert, fever-free, has no complications, and has been discharged from the hospital.

In addition to the above case, the Center for Tropical Diseases also treated a 10-year-old boy (from Hanoi ) with meningitis caused by Enterovirus. The child was admitted on October 3rd with symptoms of fever, frequent vomiting, fatigue, headache, and stiff neck.

Recognizing this as a suspected case of meningitis, the doctors ordered diagnostic tests for the child. The results showed that the child had meningitis caused by Enterovirus. After treatment according to the protocol, the child was discharged from the hospital without complications.

Be cautious about viral meningitis in children.

According to MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Que – Center for Tropical Diseases, National Children's Hospital: Viral meningitis is inflammation of the meninges caused by a virus. The disease occurs at all ages, but the risk is higher in immunocompromised individuals and children.

The most common causes of viral meningitis include: Enterovirus (Coxsackie group or Echovirus), Herpesvirus (HSV1 and 2, VZV, CMV, EBV, HHV6), and Arbovirus group (Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue fever virus, etc.).

Signs and symptoms of viral meningitis.

Enteroviruses are a family of intestinal viruses, comprising many different types of viruses that can cause epidemics. Enteroviruses are primarily transmitted through the digestive tract, meaning that infected individuals shed the virus through feces or oral secretions, thereby infecting surrounding children. In addition to causing meningitis, Enteroviruses also cause hand, foot, and mouth disease.

According to Dr. Que, the main symptoms of viral meningitis in general, and enterovirus meningitis in particular, can appear suddenly and include: fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Sometimes, symptoms of a viral infection such as a runny nose, cough, body aches, or rash may appear before symptoms of meningitis. In infants, symptoms are often nonspecific and include: fever, vomiting, bulging fontanelle, poor feeding, excessive sleepiness, etc.

For a definitive diagnosis, children need a lumbar puncture and PCR test to identify the viral etiology. Symptomatic treatment is currently the main approach in managing viral meningitis, involving pain relievers, fever reducers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and nutritional support to improve overall health.

According to Dr. Que, there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for meningitis caused by Enterovirus. Therefore, to prevent the disease in children, parents and caregivers need to instruct children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after coughing, sneezing, and using the toilet; to eat cooked food, drink boiled water, and use clean food from reliable sources.

Clean shared toys, maintain a clean living environment, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, and chairs to prevent the spread of viruses.

If a child shows signs of vomiting, headache, or does not respond to fever-reducing medication, they should be taken immediately to the nearest medical facility for diagnosis and timely treatment by a doctor to avoid possible complications.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/dau-dau-non-sot-be-trai-7-tuoi-o-ha-noi-mac-can-benh-cac-phu-huynh-phai-rat-luu-y-trong-thoi-diem-nay-172241022155026491.htm