Meningitis Research Paper

Meningitis: Spinal Meningitis Got Me Down Meningitis is a highly infectious disease that is very well known throughout the world today. It is an inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord. In 1805, Meningitis was discovered during an outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland. Furthermore, in 1996 Africa experienced the largest recorded outbreak of meningitis that caused more than 250,000 people to be infected with meningitis and more than 25,000 were killed. The largest and most recurring causes of meningitis occur in Africa. There is an area in Africa called the Meningitis Belt that is south of the Sahara desert, where meningitis is most common. Many countries in the Meningitis Belt have experienced some of the largest meningitis
“There are many different symptoms that meningitis can cause. Sudden fever, headache, and stiff neck may occur” (“Bacterial Meningitis” 1). It will often have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, altered mental status, and dehydration (“Bacterial Meningitis” 1). These may be preceded by an upper respiratory infection (“Meningitis” 2). The symptoms can vary and may affect the certain patient differently depending on the age of the patient (“Meningitis” 2). For example, newborns may exhibit either fever or hypothermia, along with lethargy or irritability, disinterest in feeding, and abdominal distention (“Meningitis” 2). “When the spinal cord is involved, a person can experience pain in the neck and legs that becomes progressively worse” (“Meningitis, Bacterial” 3). The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or progress over several days (“Bacterial Meningitis” 1). In a usual case they develop within 3-7 days after the exposure of meningitis (“Bacterial Meningitis” 1). To know and understand this disease it is important to know about the possible
First, meningitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. A person can contract the bacteria by community setting, certain medical conditions, working with meningitis-causing pathogens, and travel. There are three different types of the most common cases of meningitis. The three include: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, many of the symptoms can vary by a different age group. Some symptoms can be more serve than others. The first signs of meningitis are nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, altered mental status, and dehydration. Lastly, one main thing to help recovery is the treatments. The treatments include antibiotics, surgery, supportive therapy, blood transfusions, and subdural taps. Many medications and antibiotics can help reduce the symptoms caused by meningitis. Also, it can help make a smooth road to recovery. Some prevention methods that can help not put one at risk are to complete the recommended vaccine schedule just in case. If you can maintain a healthy habit, like not smoking and avoiding cigarette smoke, getting good rest, and not coming close in contact with people who are sick, then you can prevent getting the risk of meningitis. Today, bacterial meningitis is curable if treated promptly with antibiotics. The future goals of meningitis are to make stronger