Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is breathing more than is necessary to meet the body's requirements. Excessive breathing leads to low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which causes many of the symptoms that occur in hyperventilation.
This reduced level of carbon dioxide causes the arteries to constrict, reducing the flow of blood throughout the body. When this occurs, the brain and body will experience a shortage of oxygen.
Hyperventilation may occur due to a number of causes, often during periods of anxiety, fear or highly charged emotional responses. Over-breathing is a perfectly normal reaction to any stressful situation. Generally, when the event has passed, breathing will return to a normal rate.
Sometimes, as a result of prolonged stress or a physical trigger, a continual pattern of over- breathing can occur, whereby the breathing pattern does not return to a normal level. Reassuring the casualty and a calm approach often quickly relieves the condition.
Sign and symptoms
- Rapid deep respirations
- Rapid pulse
- A feeling of shortness of breath
- Pressure, tightness or pain across the chest
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
In extreme cases which have continued for some time
- Blurred vision
- 'Tingling' in fingers and toes
- Hand and finger spasms and pain
- Fainting
Care and treatment
- Reassurance
- Remove the cause of anxiety, if possible
- If fainted, lay casualty flat with legs elevated
- Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance if no improvement.
Not every casualty who is breathing rapidly is suffering from hyperventilation due to anxiety. In some cases the rapid respirations may be a sign of another, more serious, medical condition. It is important to eliminate more serious causes of rapid breathing, such as asthma. Re-breathing into a paper bag is not recommended. Deaths have occurred in patients with heart conditions, pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism misdiagnosed as hyperventilation and treated with paper bag re-breathing.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a term used to indicate inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. There is a fluid between the meninges and the brain and spinal cord called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which becomes infected.
There are many types of meningitis and whilst the symptoms are similar for each, the causes, treatments and outcomes do vary. Meningitis is mainly due to infection by either viruses or bacteria. Much rarer causes include fungi or cancer cells.
In general, meningitis due to bacteria is more severe than meningitis caused by viruses.
Most children with viral meningitis recover completely. However, some children with bacterial meningitis may develop long-term problems, but this depends on the acterium involved and the age of the child.
Sign and symptoms
Red flag symptoms - early:
- Limb pain
- Cold hands or feet when fever present
- Pale skin, possibly blue around the lips
Other:
- May have red skin rash
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Eyes sensitive to light
- Vomiting
- Convulsions
Should your child exhibit some of these signs and symptoms and you are suspicious of their ability to respond appropriately, take the child to hospital.
If the child is feverish, vomiting and drowsy, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance. Remember meningitis involves hospitalisation, so the earlier you contact the experts, the better.
Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics and most children recover. Viral meningitis usually gets better on its own. Most healthy children and adults with viral meningitis make a complete recovery without long-term problems unless they also have encephalitis.
Meningococcal infection
Meningococcus is a bacterium which invades the bloodstream causing septicaemia. It can also invade the lining of the brain called meningitis. Children or young adults with meningococcal septicaemia are very ill, have a high fever and may develop a red or purple rash that looks like purple dots or bruises.
A useful test for the rash is called the tumbler test. Press a glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If the marks stay the same colour and do not fade, then get help immediately.
Sign and symptoms
Common symptoms of meningococcal infection:
- Red or purple rash that looks like purple dots or bruises that does not disappear when a glass is pressed against it
- Stiff neck
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Cold hands or feet/shivering
- Rapid or unusual breathing
- Stomach/joint/muscle pain
- Drowsiness
Other symptoms in babies:
- Tense or bulging soft spot on their head
- Blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue
- Refusing to feed
- Irritable when picked up, with crying
- Stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless
Not every baby gets all these symptoms. Symptoms can appear in any order.
Care and treatment
- Seek urgent medical attention
Some vaccines for meningococcal infection are available, but they do not protect against all types of meningococci.