HI Thank for choosing HCM, I think the final diagnosis is yet to be confirmed, and you might given a steroid on basis of clinical history alone, after final diagnosis with help of MRI, spinal tapping, it is extremely necessary to differentiate the diagnosis, careful evaluation needed of full central nervous system, with routine investigation, to rule out the under laying possibility of infection either viral or bacterial, chances of finding of the etiologic causes is uncertain sometime, time is very much crucial in this regard, in time and early diagnosis, increases the chances of rapid recovery. Here is answer of your queries====1 yes there is another treatment available beside the steroid, Plasma exchange can be try along with steroid or followed by steroid it depend upon the exact pathological changes,and over all experience of physician. 2 No it is not contagious disease it wont pass to your child, 3 the chances of formation of crystal, you are thinking is rare and even if it is there it wont causes any clinical symptoms, because the area is already under attack and clinically manifested. 4 Many of Pathophysiological script comes with human being and becomes the cause of illness, and death, at any time during the course of life. Do not worry you will come out of this very soon,Have good life.