Question

Anna, a nine-year-old pupil was admitted to the KNUST hospital with complaints of headache, fever, nausea, intolerance to light, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion and petechiae. Bacterial meningitis was suspected and treated empirically with antibiotics and an adjuvant medicine. Lumbar puncture investigations revealed 1800 WBC/ul (965 of which are polymorphs), a low glucose level and an elevated protein level. Gram stain of the CSF also showed many wbcs with few gram-negative cocci. A week later you were contacted by the head teacher of Anna’s school, who was anxious that her staff and other pupils may need protection. Anna is the first born of her parents and lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her parents and siblings, Nkunim seven years old and Nhyira who is three years old. What other immediate action would you recommend with regard to Anna’s nuclear family?
11. How would you respond to the enquiry from Anna’s head teacher?

Answer 1

Bacterial meningitis is a very dangerous disease which can even lead to death or life long comlications. The microbes that cause this problem generally grow in the respiratory system of the victim and start spreading from their. At one time, they even reaches the brain and spinal cord of the victim through the blood stream. These microbes does not show early symptoms but are communicable which makes them more dangerous.

Now, in relation to Anna's family, the first thing they should do is to make sure that every one in the family is vaccinated including the other two kid. Second thing they should do is to take Anna for health check ups on alternative days so as to make sure that she has not developed Bacterial meningitis to a bigger extent. In case she shows symptoms of Bacterial meningitis she should be hospitalized as early as possible and proper administration of antibiotic therapy should take place. Lets say the doctor does not find any concerning signs about the presence of such disease but still Anna's parent should keep her in a seperate sanitized room with attached bathroom. The family should try put seperate things for Anna's use beacuse this infection can even spread through touching infected objects like door knob and window frame. It would be wiser to use a mask while dealing with Anna as this can also spread through close conversation. Since, kids are highly vulnerable to this infection it would be better for the family to keep the other two kid at a safer distance from Anna.

I would tell Anna’s head teacher that she should not be worried about the safety of other children as well as their staff members as Anna is properly immunized. I will inform her that we keep a proper track on Anna's health status and we will take necessary action as soon as we see any sign of infection in her. I will also assure her that from now onwards we will send Anna to school with proper mask and hand sanitizer with strict instruction not to come in close contact with any of the fellow student and use hand sanitizer before touching any thing physically.