Eosinophilic Meningitis Research Paper
ntroduction
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic worm that lives in rats. It is also called the rat lungworm. Baby parasites (larvae) pass through rat feces into soil and may be picked up by snails or slugs. You can be infected if you live in or have traveled to areas where the parasite is common. These areas include parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Africa. The infection does not pass from person to person.
If you get infected with the parasite, you can develop a type of brain inflammation called eosinophilic meningitis. Eosinophils are white blood cells that fight parasitic infections. Meningitis means inflammation of the outer lining of the brain or spinal cord or both.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused …show more content…
Vegetables and other produce that have not been carefully washed.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
Headache.
Stiff neck.
Tingling, or feeling pain in the skin.
Low-grade fever.
Nausea and vomiting.
You can be infected with the parasite and not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they usually start 1–3 weeks after infection. Most severe symptoms are caused by eosinophilic meningitis. Symptoms may last for 2–8 weeks.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on:
Symptoms and medical history. Your health care provider may suspect this infection if you have symptoms of this condition after traveling to areas where the parasite is common. He or she will also inquire whether you were exposed to snails or slugs.
You may also have other tests, including:
Routine blood tests.
Other blood tests to check for an immune response to the parasite.
A test to check the fluid of your spinal cord (spinal tap) for eosinophils and meningitis.
How is this treated?
This condition is managed by using medicines that relieve headaches, nausea, or inflammation. The parasite cannot live long inside humans, so symptoms of the infection usually go away without treatment. Your body’s own defenses (immune system) will eventually get rid of the
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic worm that lives in rats. It is also called the rat lungworm. Baby parasites (larvae) pass through rat feces into soil and may be picked up by snails or slugs. You can be infected if you live in or have traveled to areas where the parasite is common. These areas include parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Africa. The infection does not pass from person to person.
If you get infected with the parasite, you can develop a type of brain inflammation called eosinophilic meningitis. Eosinophils are white blood cells that fight parasitic infections. Meningitis means inflammation of the outer lining of the brain or spinal cord or both.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused …show more content…
Vegetables and other produce that have not been carefully washed.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
Headache.
Stiff neck.
Tingling, or feeling pain in the skin.
Low-grade fever.
Nausea and vomiting.
You can be infected with the parasite and not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they usually start 1–3 weeks after infection. Most severe symptoms are caused by eosinophilic meningitis. Symptoms may last for 2–8 weeks.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on:
Symptoms and medical history. Your health care provider may suspect this infection if you have symptoms of this condition after traveling to areas where the parasite is common. He or she will also inquire whether you were exposed to snails or slugs.
You may also have other tests, including:
Routine blood tests.
Other blood tests to check for an immune response to the parasite.
A test to check the fluid of your spinal cord (spinal tap) for eosinophils and meningitis.
How is this treated?
This condition is managed by using medicines that relieve headaches, nausea, or inflammation. The parasite cannot live long inside humans, so symptoms of the infection usually go away without treatment. Your body’s own defenses (immune system) will eventually get rid of the