Menningitis

[mekatz73]

So I have a five year old unvaxed daughter. She has had a fever for four days now. Ranging from 100 -103.5. I couldn't take her to our normal dr today because he was out of town. I called another dr and she said they wouldnt see her because they do not want to put her at risk. I took her to a clinic and of course got a speech about meningtitis. They are not sure whats wrong with her. She has a sore throat, body aches, and headache. I am feeling like I should start vaxing her now that she is five. Any input?

[13Sandals]

Originally Posted by mekatz73

So I have a five year old unvaxed daughter. She has had a fever for four days now. Ranging from 100 -103.5. I couldn't take her to our normal dr today because he was out of town. I called another dr and she said they wouldnt see her because they do not want to put her at risk. I took her to a clinic and of course got a speech about meningtitis. They are not sure whats wrong with her. She has a sore throat, body aches, and headache. I am feeling like I should start vaxing her now that she is five. Any input?

There are hundreds of bugs that can cause meningitis, so without knowing exactly which virus or bacteria is making her ill, there is no way to tell if any vaccine could have prevented it.

100-103.5 is not terribly high for children - though, if your daughter starts becoming incoherent and not herself, I would take her to the ER right away. Even if this does happen and your daughter needs antibiotics, I wouldn't let them vaccinate her while she is ill. Wait until she recovers and then think about the decision. Its unlikely any doctor would recommend Hib or Prevnar at age 5 anyway. I hope she is on the mend by this evening!!

[mekatz73]

Thank You

So, if she if I do start to vaccinate there are some she wont have to get anymore to be up to date?
I am really anxious, she has never been sick for such a long amount of time.

[japonica]

We've just gone through something similar. My daughter, almost 6 years old, has had a fever for the past five days. I brought her in to the GP two days ago and he said it was an ear infection, a bad one in one ear, and prescribed antibiotics.

She'd been pretty lethargic, sleeping quite a bit, not eating. It was the longest time she'd had an almost continual fever...I'd never seen anything like it so far. I did my best to keep her comfortable.

She's on the mend now though. Was up and playing today, eating to make up for lost time, back to her old self, and no fever since this afternoon.

My point is having a fever that lasts days does not necessarily equal meningitis.It may be just the type of infection she has. That said, it's worthwhile being aware of the signs to watch out for (you can find info about this online) so that you can take your child in ASAP if it's warranted.

As for the vaccines, if she's five years old, I don't believe (I could be mistaken and feel free to correct me) that they'd vaccinate her for Hib. I'm not sure about Pc. But I wouldn't vaccinate an unwell child, whatever the circumstances.

[caned & able]

If you vaxed her now, depending on the doctor, most would want to catch her up on the AAP schedule; that has been my experience.

Give her lots of juices, fluids, sa, sponge bath her, make sure she is urinating well, and let her rest. Her body is doing its job.

[Emmeline II]

The clinic just wanted to lecture you ; if they seriously believed it was meningitis they would referred you to a hospital for a spinal tap. My guess is strep, an ear infection, or a random virus. My nieces and nephews are all vaxed and practically have "frequent flyer" cards for the doctor. The last time my children had a fever for that long (temps ranging from 100-104.5) it was just a bad cold that we all caught.

[13Sandals]

op - you'd have to check the health laws for your state. Not all states follow the cdc recommended schedule for school requirements because if they mandate it, they have to pay for anyone who cannot afford it, and some states cannot afford the entire schedule So, there is a difference between recommended and legal in most states.

For instance, despite the huge number of vaccines recommended by the CDC, to legally enter school in Mississippi you only need http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite...rces/2029.pdf:

5 doses DPT (four if the last dose is received after the 4th birthday)
3 doses Polio
3 doses Hepatitis B
2 doses MMR (unless titers prove immunity)
2 doses Chicken pox (unless doctors verifies your child had it or titers prove immunity)


Still, 13 doses needed to 'catch up' is a lot, but in Mississippi your child can do without flu, Hib, Prevnar, rotavirus, hep a and take 4 instead of 5 doses of DPT. And the recommended 7th grade boosters aren't on every state roster yet.

BTW - most states do not require Prevnar or HiB past the age of 5 for school entry - this is true even in NJ which requires more vaccines by law than any other state. However, that doesn't mean that some doctors will require you to follow the CDC schedule to remain in the practice. So you have to find a doctor willing to be flexible and do the minimum required for school entry in your state. Good luck!

[mekatz73]

Originally Posted by 13Sandals

op - you'd have to check the health laws for your state. Not all states follow the cdc recommended schedule for school requirements because if they mandate it, they have to pay for anyone who cannot afford it, and some states cannot afford the entire schedule So, there is a difference between recommended and legal in most states.

For instance, despite the huge number of vaccines recommended by the CDC, to legally enter school in Mississippi you only need http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite...rces/2029.pdf:

5 doses DPT (four if the last dose is received after the 4th birthday)
3 doses Polio
3 doses Hepatitis B
2 doses MMR (unless titers prove immunity)
2 doses Chicken pox (unless doctors verifies your child had it or titers prove immunity)


Still, 13 doses needed to 'catch up' is a lot, but in Mississippi your child can do without flu, Hib, Prevnar, rotavirus, hep a and take 4 instead of 5 doses of DPT. And the recommended 7th grade boosters aren't on every state roster yet.

BTW - most states do not require Prevnar or HiB past the age of 5 for school entry - this is true even in NJ which requires more vaccines by law than any other state. However, that doesn't mean that some doctors will require you to follow the CDC schedule to remain in the practice. So you have to find a doctor willing to be flexible and do the minimum required for school entry in your state. Good luck!

Luckily my doctor has been cool with not vaccinating, so I think he will he will be cool with picking a schedule to catch up. I guess I will have to speak to him and see which ones she will need to catch up. Thats the thing I do do not want her to have 13 doses, and there charts I see are specific for younger ages.

[mekatz73]

Thanks everyone

Thanks for your responses and she is now on the mend. She is playing and eating, and no fever yet today. I was just worried because it was the first time she was sick for so many days in a row and being so lethargic.

Thinking about it, the clinic did just want to scare abut the meningitis.

[ImaSophie]

It is a good idea if a fever of 101 or higher has been going on for more then four days to have the child checked out just to rule out anything else going on. Glad to hear she is on the mind.

[JBaxter]

When my oldest had meningitis ( non covered strain btw) his temp went to 104.8 and wouldnt drop below 102 with any fever reducer. The temps you listed are normal for my kids when they get sick.

Hope she is goind better

[ammiga]

Glad she's getting better! Hopefully watching dd get sick and get better gave you faith in her body, and it will make it easier for you the next time she gets sick. It's never fun to watch our kids get sick, but watching my dd heal herself makes it less worrisome the next time.

[PinkinPA]

[QUOTEif they seriously believed it was meningitis they would referred you to a hospital for a spinal tap.][/QUOTE]

Even if it was menengitis and the docs recommended a spinal tap and it came up positive, tehre is no course of treatment if it is viral. They can only treat the pain and offer support. My son had it 2x with in 2 months. We did not get the spinal tap.

[ImaSophie]

Originally Posted by PinkinPA

if they seriously believed it was meningitis they would referred you to a hospital for a spinal tap.]

Even if it was menengitis and the docs recommended a spinal tap and it came up positive, tehre is no course of treatment if it is viral. They can only treat the pain and offer support. My son had it 2x with in 2 months. We did not get the spinal tap.

If I understand this correctly you are saying your child had a dx of viral meningitis 2x in 2 months without ever receiving a spinal tap/lumber puncture? A spinal tap is the only way to definitively dx meningitis (viral or bacterial).

[BeckyBird]

Mekatz73, I'm glad your daughter is all better! She must have one healthy immune system!