Brain Fever & Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccines For Children Aged 9 Months - 5 Years
Oct 17, 2022, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Meningitis is very common in young children as their immune system is not very well developed. Meningitis occurs when the membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord, called the meninges, becomes infected and swollen or inflamed. Meningitis can be very serious and requires urgent medical attention. Meningitis is usually caused by either bacterial or viral infections. From coughing and sneezing to sharing food and drinks and living in close quarters, these everyday behaviors can lead to contracting meningococcal meningitis. The bacteria lives in the nose and throat and is spread from one person to another by close contact. When it comes to symptoms, meningitis can present as a common cold and flu that quickly progresses to high fever or chills, confusion, cold hands and feet, severe aches or pain in the muscles, dark purple rashes, sensitivity to light and neck stiffness. In this live Parentune workshop, Jharna Kukeraja will be hosting Dr. Priya Biswakumar (MBBS, DNB, MNAMS, APGPN, FRCP, PGDAP).
In this live workshop with the expert you will learn about the following things-
- Despite significant progress over the last few decades, meningitis remains a mysterious disease worldwide with a high death rate. What is the reason for an alarming death rate?
- Are there different vaccines for the different causes of meningitis?
- So talking about meningococcal meningitis, how serious is this disease? And children in which age group are affected by this disease?
- As per WHO, meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. How does the inflammation around the brain and spinal cord lead to the onset of meningococcal meningitis?
- Fever is one of the symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis is there a way to differentiate normal fever from brain fever?
- What is the age at which the children should be considered for vaccination against meningococcal meningitis?
- How is meningococcal meningitis diagnosed? What are the essential tests that one needs to undergo?
- Why does this disease not get easily detected?
- How will the vaccination help reduce the threat and keep them safe?
- How many doses of the vaccine are required to fight this dreadful disease?
- Can meningococcal meningitis have long-term implications on a child’s health?
- How to protect small babies below 9 months who can’t be vaccinated?
- Should parents of small children also get their elder children vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis, as an added safeguard?
- Is it wise to wait till 2 years for the child to get vaccinated?
- In case the parents have missed the meningococcal meningitis vaccination at 9 months of age, is it possible to get a shot of the vaccination later? And can a 2-year-old child be vaccinated for the same?
Dr Priya Biswakumar, MBBS, DNB, MNAMS, APGPN, FRCP, PGDAP
Dr. Priya Biswakumar is a Paediatrician ,Director of Indira Child care & Visiting Consultant at Apollo Children’s Hospital & KK Child’s Trust Hospitals.







| Oct 16, 2022
How can a parent differentiate if it's normal fever or fever because of Meningitis? If a child is vaccinated, in percentage how much sure one can be that they won't suffer from it? Please guide me, I am confused whether I should get my 10 months old vaccinated or not?


| Oct 16, 2022
Hello Doctor! My children were born inAustralia. They are 5 and 3 years old respectively. They have got all the vaccinations mandatory for them there. But now I am staying in India for past 5 months with my Mother and sister and my 2 children. There vaccination chart is also not with me. I am not sure whether they have got Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine already or not. So should I get them vaccinated here, and what if they are already vaccinated for the same, will it cause any harm to them? Please suggest. Thanks in advance 🙏🏻





Hello. My baby is 9 months old. I want to know Is it bacteria or virus or parasites ?