Bacterial Meningitis Kills a Child in Florida

Health authorities are on high alert after bacterial meningitis kills a child in Florida, near West Palm Beach. They have confirmed that the child died sometime during last week because of bacterial meningitis.

They have identified the child as being 5-year-old Kamar Devin, a student at Dr.Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary.

The principle of the elementary school, Kristina Granger came out and made a statement regarding the tragedy that befell on both school and family. She expressed her condolences towards the grieving family and promised support from school. Granger with the help of the school’s board went ahead and created a GoFundMe page. The family could use the donations provided by the website in order to cover funeral expenses.

Kamar’s father, Dante Seawright is still in shock, wondering how such a tragedy could fall on him and his family. Seawright, in a heartbreaking interview, declared that his boy was kind to everybody he met.

The health authorities contacted both school and family on Tuesday and an investigation is under way. Antibiotics have been issued to family and other people who came in close contact with Kamar.

Bacterial Meningitis kills a child in Florida prompting the authorities to raise awareness among the public concerning this kind of disease.

According to medical literature, bacterial meningitis usually occurs when a specific form of bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitides, haemophilus influenza and listeria monocytogenes), manages to enter the bloodstream. The bacteria uses the blood flow in order to reach the spinal cord and ultimately the brain. In some rare instances, bacteria can migrate to the brain, if the patient has an ear or sinus infection. Research shows that the bacteria could also use skull fractures in order to get to the brain. Also, surgical procedures can enroll the red carpet for bacterial meningitis.
Usually, the symptoms associated with bacterial meningitis are neck stiffness and the sudden surges of headaches. Other symptoms are nausea, vomiting, photophobia and confusion.

Bacterial meningitis can be successfully treated using antibiotics but physicians urge the patient to bet antibiotic therapy as soon as they experience the first symptoms. Antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of dying to below 15 percent.

It seems that the best method of curing bacterial meningitis is a sound prevention education. Physician recommend that each patient should undergo vaccination as soon as possible. Also, patients should avoid as much as possible people who suffer from this disease if they have a weak immunity.

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