Bacterial Meningitis Warning

A warning about a fatal infection that affects thousands every year. Experts say now until early spring is the peak time for bacterial meningitis. If the disease isn't caught early, it can cause

Thursday, January 11th 2007, 3:55 pm

By: News On 6

A warning about a fatal infection that affects thousands every year. Experts say now until early spring is the peak time for bacterial meningitis. If the disease isn't caught early, it can cause disability and even death.

News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims says meningitis can strike hard and fast, attacking some of the youngest victims. As one Welch family knows all too well.

Lucchese has been through a lot in her 13 months. She looks healthy, happy, and at home with her surroundings. But nine months ago, her parents didn't know whether she would live or die. BJ Mooney: "she had a really high fever. She was lethargic and she wasn't having seizures, normally with meningitis you have seizures." When the seizure hit, it lasted for an hour.

The Mooney's finally got a diagnosis, their little girl, only four months at the time, had meningitis. â€œYou donâ€™t realize everything that it can cause and also what the antibiotics can also do."

Lucchese suffered from a blood clot and underwent two surgeries to relieve pressure on her brain. Brian Mooney: â€œthat part there was worse than just the first time over the meningitis. Because we had her in the ER 12:30 in the day. By 2'oclock they were doing emergency surgery on her."

She recovered, but some wounds endure. Lucchese was deaf in one ear with severe hearing loss in the other. At nine months old, she went through a third surgery to get a Cochlear implant to restore her hearing. BJ Mooney: â€œit was wonderful and we don't regret doing that at all. Even though it was hard that night and she hurt. It's one night versus her whole life of being able to hear and converse with other people normally." Today they call her a miracle child. â€œShe has a full schedule of speech, physical and occupational therapy, but otherwise she's a normal one year old.â€

Her parents just want others to know the signs, so they don't have to go through the same thing. Flu-like symptoms like high fever, stiff neck, headaches, and vomiting are also the signs of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with antibiotics, but it needs to be caught early.

There are also vaccinations, but those don't protect you from all forms of the disease.