Misdiagnosis in Active Bacterial Meningitis Cases

The Meningitis Research Foundation has now confirmed what many of us have known for years. Often in cases of active bacterial meningitis, children are taken to the ER or their pediatrician for  what is thought to be an ear infection, the flu, common cold or  just not feeling well, when they actually have active bacterial meningitis that is not diagnosed until it is too late.

Unfortunately the outcome is often death or irreversible brain damage because of a condition that should have been diagnosed 24 hours earlier! Not only does active bacterial meningitis go misdiagnosed, but the parent(s) are given wrong assurances.

 If there is ANY doubt, take your child to another ER or doctor INSTEAD OF GOING HOME. If the symptoms do not improve in a few minutes, then get IMMEDIATE follow up care. See www.meningitis.org for more information.