Saturday, January 10, 2004
People who came in contact with the family were treated with antibiotics.
WHEATLAND, Pa. -- Aalyha Vasconi, admitted to Forum Health Tod Children's Hospital for treatment of bacterial meningitis a week ago, has gone home.
Aalyha, who is 7 months old, is a daughter of Howard and Diana Vasconi of Chestnut Street.
She was discharged from the hospital Tuesday, said her mother.
"She's doing good," Diana Vasconi said, adding that the family's only concern now is the possibility of any long-term effects from the disease. Problems could take years to manifest, she said, but right now Aalyha is happy and smiling.
Early symptoms
The Vasconis first took their only child to Sharon Regional Health System on Dec. 27 when she woke up every 15 minutes screaming.
She was initially diagnosed with a viral infection, but when her condition appeared worse by Dec. 29, the Vasconis went back to Sharon Regional. A spinal tap confirmed Aalyha had meningitis, an infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord that could lead to brain damage, hearing loss or even death.
Aalyha was transferred immediately to Tod to begin treatment, and family members reported Friday that her condition had greatly improved and that she could be discharged as early as Tuesday.
Because the disease can be very contagious, everyone who had come into contact with the family within an eight-day period before the diagnosis was to be treated with antibiotics as a preventive measure.
Diana Vasconi said she was unaware of anyone else coming down with the illness.