My niece was rushed to ER - meningitis

[JeneralMom]

I got a call this morning at 6:45 (never good news) that my 18yo niece had been rushed to the ER last night and that she has meningitis. She is a freshman and everyone told her she was just feeling sickly because of Frosh-week craziness and being away from home for the first time. Well, yesterday she went to the campus med center and had a dr tell her to stop wasting his time she just had a cold and a rash. That afternoon she went back to see another dr. who also told her she had a cold. Yesterday evening she collapsed and was rushed to the ER where they discovered she has meningitis - it was not discovered early and she is very sick and has a long hospital stay ahead of her.

 

Please send healing thoughts her way. My brother moved the whole family back to Canada from the UK when my eldest niece decided to go to Uni in Canada, but they decided to let middle niece go to a school 4 hrs away - my brother is already blaming himself (which is ridiculous) for letting her leave home.

[MyBlueLobsters]

I hope that the campus Dr gets his butt chewed!

 

Praying for your niece. How scary for all involved!:grouphug:

[ChristusG]

Oh no! That is terrible! Please keep us updated....I hope that she recovers quickly. Is it viral or bacterial? Do you know if she was vaccinated against it? That's a fear of mine since we do not vaccinate. If my kids decide to attend college, I may have them vaccinated against it in spite of our aversion to vaccines.

[JeneralMom]

Oh no! That is terrible! Please keep us updated....I hope that she recovers quickly. Is it viral or bacterial? Do you know if she was vaccinated against it? That's a fear of mine since we do not vaccinate. If my kids decide to attend college, I may have them vaccinated against it in spite of our aversion to vaccines.

 

 

They did a spinal tap to determine what kind it is. They were not vaccinated as children, but I am not sure if they got vaccinated when they were in the UK.

 

My eldest niece just updated on Facebook (of all places) that the hospital has forewarned them that middle niece is very, very ill and will be in the hospital for a long time. They are so far away (I am in Texas, they are in Ontario) and I really feel the distance in cases like this.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

:grouphug:

[Bokons]

Please keep us updated.

[DawnM]

Praying, Praying!

 

This is a fear of mine as well since a childhood friend passed away from it.

 

I don't think my kids are vaccinated either.

 

Dawn

[Mary in VA]

Praying for your neice!

 

Many colleges require freshman get the menningitis vacine because the students are living in such close proximity to each other. My 20 yo dd got it before she left for college. I don't think it is usually required until college. But I had my 15 yo dd get it before she went to a 5 week summer program where she would be living in a college dorm.

 

Keep us updated :grouphug:

 

Mary

Edited September 28, 2010 by Mary in VA

[Jen in PA]

:grouphug:

[Stacia]

:grouphug:

[lisamarie]

Oh no! That is terrible! Please keep us updated....I hope that she recovers quickly. Is it viral or bacterial? Do you know if she was vaccinated against it? That's a fear of mine since we do not vaccinate. If my kids decide to attend college, I may have them vaccinated against it in spite of our aversion to vaccines.

 

My guess is that it's bacterial since she's so sick. And it is very scary, but the medicine works and she should be fine in a few weeks. My DH had bacterial meningitis 6 1/2 years ago and we had no clue what it was. We were at my grandma's house 4 hours away for Easter weekend, Saturday he complained of a headache, he didn't sleep all night, and then we drove home 4 hrs on Sunday with DH laying down in the back seat. When we got home, I took him directly to see his dad who's a dr who thought that it was just a bad migraine and gave him something really strong. Monday morning when he started throwing up, his dad said to take him to the ER. He spent 1 week in the hospital on IV meds and 1 week at home on a PIC line with IV meds. It sucked big time. But he had no lasting effects from it.

 

Meningitis is not the first thing one thinks of when they are sick, so I can understand why the campus drs missed it. Luckily I had been vaccinated in college when there was a big vaccine drive due to 3 kids coming down with it. And that was 1 of the few shots that my DS had gotten by that point (he was 6mns old), so we were safe. And because of DH's history, this is one vaccine I do not hesitate on--every child gets it.

[DianeW88]

It is not necessarily the campus doctor's fault. Meningitis is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because it presents just like any other cold or flu. That's why it is IMPERATIVE that all children receive the HiB vaccine as children and the Menactra vaccine after age 12 or so. Even if you don't vax for anything else, DO get these vaccines. Meningitis is NOT something to fool around with....it can kill you in less than 24 hours and many times the doctors can do nothing to stop it.

 

Best wishes to your niece for a full and complete recovery. I'm sure she's getting the best possible care, since hospitals do not mess around once they know what they're dealing with.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

[Renee in NC]

It is not necessarily the campus doctor's fault. Meningitis is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because it presents just like any other cold or flu. That's why it is IMPERATIVE that all children receive the HiB vaccine as children and the Menactra vaccine after age 12 or so. Even if you don't vax for anything else, DO get these vaccines. Meningitis is NOT something to fool around with....it can kill you in less than 24 hours and many times the doctors can do nothing to stop it.

 

Best wishes to your niece for a full and complete recovery. I'm sure she's getting the best possible care, since hospitals do not mess around once they know what they're dealing with.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

 

The vaccines don't prevent bacterial meningitis, though, do they?

[Perry]

It covers 4 strains of meningococcus, which is a bacteria. It doesn't cover type B meningococcus, which causes a substantial number of cases.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Perry

[DianeW88]

The vaccines don't prevent bacterial meningitis, though, do they?

 

Yes, Menactra does prevent several types of bacterial meningitis. It's also a very safe vaccine. Two of my children have already received it and when my youngest reaches the right age....he will, too.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

[mommaduck]

It is not necessarily the campus doctor's fault. Meningitis is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because it presents just like any other cold or flu. That's why it is IMPERATIVE that all children receive the HiB vaccine as children and the Menactra vaccine after age 12 or so. Even if you don't vax for anything else, DO get these vaccines. Meningitis is NOT something to fool around with....it can kill you in less than 24 hours and many times the doctors can do nothing to stop it.

 

Best wishes to your niece for a full and complete recovery. I'm sure she's getting the best possible care, since hospitals do not mess around once they know what they're dealing with.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

There are some that are UNABLE to handle vaccinations due to their prior medical history.

[Renee in NC]

Yes, Menactra does prevent several types of bacterial meningitis. It's also a very safe vaccine. Two of my children have already received it and when my youngest reaches the right age....he will, too.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

 

I am not anti-vaccine (and mine have theirs.) I just thought vaccines were for viruses.

[DianeW88]

There are some that are UNABLE to handle vaccinations due to their prior medical history.

 

Yes, I understand that some children just aren't able to tolerate vaccines and I sympathize. In that case, I would have them be excessively aware of personal hygiene if they ever find themselves living in a dormitory situation....where most of these fatal outbreaks tend to occur.

 

They should also be very aware of the signs of meningitis and know to immediately seek medical care...in an ER where they can tell the admitting nurse what they suspect may be the problem and they can get a quick and proper diagnosis. Fever, headache, listlessness, nausea, sensitivity to light, confusion and a stiff neck are what they should watch for (in anyone over the age of 2 or so). By stiff neck, I mean, if you are lying down flat, it is difficult or even impossible for you to raise your chin to your chest. Unfortunately, the only way a positive diagnosis can be made is through the culturing of spinal fluid.....painful, but worth it so that the doctor can treat it with the proper antibiotics.

 

I hope your children (and others in their situation) never have to face the nastiness that is meningitis.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

[Perry]

I just thought vaccines were for viruses.

There are a number of vaccines against bacterial illnesses:

 

Hemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)

Pertussis

Pneumococcus

Diphtheria

Tetanus

Meningococcus (meningitis)

Typhoid

TB

 

There is ongoing research into vaccines for protozoal diseases (malaria, schistosomiasis) and fungi, but I don't know of any currently in use.

 

Ha. Spellchecker wants me to change schistosomiasis to sadomasochists.

[mcconnellboys]

College dorm meningitis cases have soared in recent years and we generally hear about an outbreak somewhere by the end of September. There are vaccines available now to help with this, but they're not foolproof. I really hope she will improve quickly. The school health personnel should really be taken to task over this. They certainly should have picked up on it....

[mommaduck]

Yes, I understand that some children just aren't able to tolerate vaccines and I sympathize. In that case, I would have them be excessively aware of personal hygiene if they ever find themselves living in a dormitory situation....where most of these fatal outbreaks tend to occur.

 

They should also be very aware of the signs of meningitis and know to immediately seek medical care...in an ER where they can tell the admitting nurse what they suspect may be the problem and they can get a quick and proper diagnosis. Fever, headache, listlessness, nausea, sensitivity to light, confusion and a stiff neck are what they should watch for (in anyone over the age of 2 or so). By stiff neck, I mean, if you are lying down flat, it is difficult or even impossible for you to raise your chin to your chest. Unfortunately, the only way a positive diagnosis can be made is through the culturing of spinal fluid.....painful, but worth it so that the doctor can treat it with the proper antibiotics.

 

I hope your children (and others in their situation) never have to face the nastiness that is meningitis.

 

Diane W.

married for 22 years

homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years

I hope not also. I was suspected as having it as a kid (had the symptoms, but ended up being a nasty form of strep). And thank you for the reminder that as they get older they should be aware of it ;)

[MBM]

Oh, my. Meningitis can be so scary. Many prayers for her recovery.

 

:grouphug:

[joannqn]

I, too, think those campus doctors should be taken to task. I ended up visiting the campus clinic the first day of school when it was finally open. While I didn't have meningitis, I ended up having walking pneumonia. The campus doctor was quite concerned about my care, made sure I had the medicine I needed, and explained I was this close to being hospitalized. Completely different attitude.

 

I hope she recovers faster than they expect and without any damage.

[Kareni]

Sending positive thoughts for your niece's recovery. How scary for you all.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Julie in CA]

Those who want the doctors reprimanded, it's not always clear in the beginning that the illness is meningitis. If you're looking at something that presents as symptoms of a cold, would you not guess it's a cold and treat it as such? The definitive diagnosis comes via lumbar puncture--would you want a lumbar puncture whenever you have cold symptoms? That's how you'd receive an early diagnosis. I don't think the doctors can be blamed for this, and I say this as a parent who very nearly lost an infant to HiB meningitis at 8 weeks old. After almost a month of hospitalization which included life-flight to a large teaching hospital, weeks in the PICU, and the constant attention of a pediatric infectious disease specialist, she had a full recovery. I don't blame the doctor who originally thought she had the flu. It would've been misplaced anger.

 

To the OP....:grouphug:. I know it's hard to process the emotions involved in a sudden, severe, & life-threatening illness.

Edited September 29, 2010 by Julie in CA

[MBM]

Are any of you aware of the new rapid test for bacterial meningitis? It's being trialled in a Belfast hospital for now.

 

A rapid diagnostic test for meningococcal bacteria that can produce results within an hour has been developed by scientists from Queen's Centre for Infection and Immunity and the Trust.

 

From here:

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100818085930.htm

Edited September 29, 2010 by MBM

[praisefor3]

I understand the doctor diagnosing it as a cold; HOWEVER my complaint stems from if he told her to stop wasting his time. A doctor should have never said that. His answer should have been, "I think it is a cold. If you start feeling worse or are not getting better come back to see me." His response simply cannot be justified. It might not have changed the outcome but it was certainly an inappropriate comment intended to get her to stop seeking treatment.