Meningitis: Doctor urges proactive measures to protect children

As temperature soars in the north, a medical doctor has advised on the need to take proactive measures to protect children from meningitis.

Meningitis, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the brain through variety of organisms thrives during high temperatures and low humidity and increases the likelihood of transmission from person- to-person through prolonged contact.

In Nigeria the most common form of meningitis is Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) that affects the cerebral area of the brain. Though meningitis can affect anyone, infants, young children, adolescents and older people are at higher risk of infection.

A check on the website of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), by indicates that meningitis is prevalent in the north west and recorded 1,926 cases in 2019 thereby reaching a “epidemic proportion.”

Dr Usman Abdullahi of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) Hospital, , said CSM

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affects the brain particularly a part called cerebrum, adding that it causes inflammation of the cerebral tissue and can damage the spinal cord.

“Cases usually occur during the dry season, because the infection likes hotness. Outbreaks do occur in this period due to its low humidity and dusty conditions and it ends with the start of the rainy season. It can lead to death between 24 hours of infection when the case is severe.”

Dr. Abdullahi noted that people who stay in overpopulated and nonventilated areas are susceptible to infection and when infected they show symptoms like high grade fever, headache and stiffness of the neck, going down to the spinal cord till it extends to other parts of the body.

He told that high mortality rate is recorded in children because “they lack the knowledge on ways to take care of themselves when they are victims but clinically it is the same method that affects all ages, but as adult you know how to handle yourself when feeling sick.”

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He added that a reactive vaccination is used to cure the infection but preventive measures are more advisable. Thus, “proactively we should avoid places where there is no ventilation and if you should sleep indoors ensure all windows are opened for cross ventilation in the room.

“Have a clean environment by disposing waste properly and clearing of drainages. When you experience sickness like fever, headache or stiffness of the neck, endeavor to visit the hospital as soon as possible and avoid overcrowded places. Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or by blowing into the elbow when sneezing or coughing. Wash your hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing,” he said.

Sofiat Lawal, a mother of one, said once the dry season sets in she changes the type of clothing her child wear.

“During dry season I do not wear heavy cloth on my daughter rather she wears light ones. Also, we sleep with the fan on and I do not give her hot food because she will defecate.”