10 year old daughter home from hospital after having meningitis.?

She was taken ill with pneumoccocal meningitis over a week ago - fortunately I realised she was seriously ill and got her treated before septecaemia could develop. She has been given a week of IV antibiotics and is now being monitored at home. My question is how long do children take to recuperate after a serious illness like this, is there anything more I can do for her than just provide as much food, snacks, drinks, TV, games, books, etc.
Please don't answer me with lots of information about meningitis - I understand the condition - what I need advice on is convalescence.

Thankyou to all those who took time to consider their answers with tact and real thought.

Children are very, very resilient (I'm sure you know), so she'll probably start feeling much more energetic within weeks rather than months.

Initially, let her do what she wants (not in the sense of letting her eat chocolate and crisps and nothing else, but in that if she want s to lie watching tv all day, that's probably what's best for her at the moment).

If you're providing all she needs, checking on her regularly and giving her company when she seems to need it, you can't go far wrong. Once she starts needing more stimulation, you'll pick up on that because she'll either start to seem a little restless with doing nothing, or she'll tell you she's bored.

Also, you must be very very tired yourself. You need to rest and mentally relax too, or else you won't be able to look after her as well as you might.

You sound very caring and aware of her needs anyway. Your instincts will take you through it.

Good luck to both of you!

Recovery times vary from person to person, but usually it takes two to three weeks, and what your doing for your daughter is fine, just let her rest. good luck

hi my son had the bacterial form at 18 days old he has made a full recovery he is now three ...you just need too try and build her immune system back up it will probably take a while ...try vitamins , good food , and lots of love ...i,m glad she is OK its a horrible thing too watch your child going through something like this ...good luck for the future

just carry on as your doing that sounds OK to me and it will all get back to normal in its own sweet time Good Luck Little Girl

yeh id say about three weeks maybe two.. depends how good her immune system is coping. keep her happy and let her sleep when she feels tired and it will get cleard up as quickly as her body can

Good plain but easy to digest organic food. Lots of drinks without additives. And the best thing which I'm sure you do already CUDDLES XXXX love to you and yours

Keep her as comfortable as possible and don't over-push her indurance level. Talk with doc concerning any further info. you may want /need. They'll help you.

I think your doing all you can do.Just be a Mother for her.Lots of touching hugs and kisses.Remember what they say about massaging infants? A mothers touch never goes outta style.I would lay with her in bed (if she'll let you) watch t.v. and just love her a little more.I am sure she still feels bad.Other than providing the basic necessities just a little extra Mothers love and attention is just the ticket she needs.

Hi there-i'm so sorry to hear your daughter has been so poorly but am delighted that she got through that horrible, horrible illness. My step sister caught it and was in intensive care as she developed septecaemia. She pulled through much to our relief. this was in november and she is still weak and can't do too much at a time. She also gets a bit depressed and down which can be an after effect. I think you sound like a lovely mum who is doing everything for her daughter. Maybe try a tonic to build up her immune system, but you will be her best medicine along with the tlc. I hope she makes a brilliant recovery.

Plenty of rest for the next week or two.. Lots of fresh veg and fruit .. and plenty of hugs and kisses. Glad shes over the worse.

It can take awhile to get her back and please do not let her over do herself. She needs lots of sleep,veggies, fruits, dairy, eggs and meat. Let her get up and move around in the house but nothing too strenuous.

I am delighted for her and you that it sounds like she has come out of this serious illness relatively unscathed.

You are obviously very caring and desperate to do something useful.Sounds like you are doing your best to be a great dad, no one could ask you to do more. Children are extremely resilient, but each individual varies. You may well find that within a week she is back to normal and you find it hard to believe there was anything wrong. If she takes a bit longer you will just have to be patient.

It sounds like you have it under control. As long as she is resting and recuperating at home, just continue as you are doing.

Can take a few weeks to recover.

Just ensure she is drinking plenty of fluids and eating good wholesome foods, plenty of friut and veg.

Just see what she feels upto each day. She may get the odd bad day where she may be tired and not feel upto much. Dont be disheartened by this, this is normal in the recovery stage.

All the best.