My friend in SA needs info. her 14 yr daughter is i icu with meningitis. now dr reckon she's got encephilits.

i need info on viral meningitis/ viral encephalitis. her daughter in icu cries/screams of pain in head. goes red in face as she cries out. they did a lumber puncture. found it to be encephalitis. please any dr to refer website with info.
Answer:
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation is usually caused by bacteria or viruses (viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis). Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. It's a rare disease that only occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000 individuals - most commonly in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systemsIt is very serious! The past couple of weeks my friends niece has been battling it and they were amazed she did not die with the severity she has. The major concern is the possibility of brain damage if it it caught too late.
Pray and stay focused on helping the family so they can be with her at the hospital because it is really life and death hanging in the balance.http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infecti...http://betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhc...http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infecti...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/encephaliti...http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/encepha...

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Suggest you look on www.netdoctor.com they have very good quality info and advice.

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Why isnt she in an induced coma? If they got to it all before the rash she has a good chance. But statisitics mean nothing. As long as everyone is there supporting her, caring for her and everything else she will be fine. My brother has had meningacoccal 4 times and has come out fine each time even when he has had a 2% chance of death. her brain is going to swell and any noise is going to make her scream. Make sure its quiet, also that you have lip balm. Try prevent her mouth and lips drying - that will lead to olsars. Move her legs and arms often. If you dont they cease up and it is painful to start moving them again. Keep the room dark so the sun doesnt hurt her eyes or head. Its going to be a long road to revocery with many sleepless nights and many tears shed. Your friend is going to feel very run down and you will see things you thought you would never see before emotionally and pyshically. Make sure you are there but are not suffocating the family. Maybe pick the kids up from school, walk the pets, feed them. Drop the kids at the hospital do the otehrs kids washing and there own and you will be helping out alot.

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this illness is very serious...prayer, prayer, prayer...cant say it enough...will come from me to.
these viruses can cause such havoc and leave these helpless childress with disablities when they leave...so pray, pray, pray.the doc is probably doing all that can be done...so once again pray, pray, pray...

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