Cochlear Implants and Meningitis: Suggestions for Parents
Some vaccines are very good at preventing
meningitis. However, as good as they are, vaccines can't prevent all types of meningitis. Current vaccines protect against the most common strains of bacteria causing meningitis, but they do not protect against all strains. Therefore, even if a child has been vaccinated, parents need to watch their child for any of the possible signs and
symptoms of meningitis, and to get prompt medical attention if the child develops these
meningitis symptoms.
Parents should also seek prompt medical attention if they think their child might have an
ear infection (otitis media) or any other bacterial infection.
Also, parents should ensure that all of the child's immunizations are up to date. In addition, like all children, children with cochlear implants should not be near tobacco smoke because it has been shown to increase the risk for bacterial infections.
Cochlear Implants and Recurrences of Meningitis
Anyone who has had
bacterial meningitis can get it again. This is true whether or not the first meningitis caused a loss of hearing. A person who gets certain types of bacterial meningitis might be more likely to get it again.
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