Pediatric clinics of North America
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Microbiologic causes of meningitis include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Before routine use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, bacterial meningitis affected almost 6000 people every year in the United States, and about half of all cases occurred in children 18 years old or younger. ⋯ Appropriate use of antibiotics, along with adjunctive therapies, such dexamethasone, has proved helpful in the prevention of neurologic sequelae in children with bacterial meningitis. Better understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms likely would result in more effective therapies in the future.
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Jun 2005
ReviewReducing the impact of viral respiratory infections in children.
This article reviews the epidemiology and clinical aspects of the major viral causes of upper and lower respiratory tract disease in children. Particular emphasis is placed on prevention and control of viral disease through the use of vaccines and antiviral agents. Evolution of new viral pathogens, such as avian influenza virus and the SARS-CoV, are discussed.