Causes And Symptoms Of Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is the swelling of the meninges. In the back of the brain, there are three protective membranes called the meninges (Mandal). During bacterial meningitis, bacteria invade the brain. This causes the immune system to enter and try to stop the disease (Mandal). In doing so, the meninges swell to stop the spread the virus, but this unfortunately causes damage to the brain and spinal area (Mandal). A person would get bacterial meningitis if their body was invaded by some of the germs that can cause it.

Meningitis is best described as an inflammation of the meninges in the brain. Meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis often occurs when the fluid surrounding the meninges is infected. Meningitis is most commonly caused by viral

Meningococcal Meningitis is the infection and inflammation of the meninges. Newborns and infants are at greatest risk for contracting bacterial meningitis with Neisseria meningitides being the typical pathogen in the majority of children age 2 months through 12 years (London, Ladewig, Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2011). There is a mortality rate of 10% for children who develop meningitis from this particular bacterium (Muller, 2013).

The first recorded Meningitis epidemic occurred in Geneva in 1805, and shortly afterward several other outbreaks in Europe and the United States were recorded as well. Then, thirty-five years later, the first outbreak in Africa was recorded. The African Meningitis outbreaks became much more common in the 20th century. News Medical stated that “The first major epidemic was reported in Nigeria and Ghana from 1905-1908.” In the earliest reports, large numbers of people died from this disease. The first evidence found that linked Meningitis with a bacterial infection was written by Anton Vaykeslbaum, an Austrian bacteriologist, in 1887. This discovery led to many other people conducting research of their own, and “organisms causing Meningitis were identified in the later 19th century including: Streptococcus, Neisseria Meningitidis, and Haemophilus Influenzae” (History).

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, membranes that surround the brain. This can extend as far as infecting the cerebral spinal fluid on top of causing the tissue to swell. Meningitis comes in two major forms; bacterially and virally. However, having bacterial meningitis is much more severe than viral meningitis. There is a lot more danger in having a bacterial infection within the brain than a viral infection within the brain. What makes bacterial meningitis so lethal is that “even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, 5% to 10% of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Left untreated, up to 50% of cases may die, (6) or there

Meningitis, or spinal meningitis, is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Bacterial meningitis is meningitis caused by a bacterial infection. This condition can lead to long-term complications, such as seizures, hearing loss, weakness, paralysis, blindness, or cognitive impairment.

Meningitis - the root “mening” is derived from the Greek Language which means membrane and the medical suffix “itis” means inflammation – is defined as a relatively rare disease caused by the acute inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord known as the “meninges”. The meninges which consist of three layers can be inflamed by many infectious pathogens, microorganisms, other living organisms such as fungi and non-infectious conditions that fortunately have many treatment options that can cure meningitis completely.

Bacterial meningitis is extremely severe and deadly. It can also cause permanent disabilities such as brain damage and learning disabilities (Thigpen et al., 2011). The disease is spread from person to person and it can also be contracted from certain foods. Since this disease is caused by several strains of bacteria, each strain can be contracted in different ways. People can also be carriers of this disease, meaning they can carry the bacteria but never actually get sick. It can be passed from mother to child during birth or it can be contracted by breathing in the bacteria that may be in the air. Symptoms, such as headaches, sensitivity to light and a rash, occur around 3 to 7 days after infected. A meningitis rash is caused by blood leaking into the tissue under the skin (Thigpen et al., 2011). The treatment for this disease are antibiotics, corticosteroids and acetaminophen. Meningitis is no only caused by bacteria, but it can also be a virus. Viral meningitis is less severe, and people can recover without treatment. This is caused by an inflammation of the tissue that covers the spinal cord and brain. Viral meningitis is caused by non-polio enteroviruses, such as mumps, measles and influenza (Thigpen et al., 2011). Meningitis can also be caused by a complication during surgery (Zarrouk et al.,

The majority of people will recovery quickly and full usually without any specific course of treatment. Where as bacterial meningitis is very serious and the individual require prompt treatment with antibiotic and corticosteroids. The bacterial can quickly cause permanent brain damage or lead to death. I will explain the mode of transmission and those individuals that are at greater risk to contracting the disease, such as college students that live in dorms (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/manage/ptc-20169618). I will answer all of the facilities questions along with taking the opportunity to promote awareness to this preventable disease of meningitis by vaccinating their children with Menactra. Many of the facility members have are college age children or are currently attending a college. I also inform them that we need to wait for a diagnosis, which is done by the individual having a spinal tap where a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken. I will instruct the facility to remain silent until I know the results from the health department and then will further inform

Meningitis the infectious disease that is an “Inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges”(Laboratory Information). Meningitis first appeared in 1768 by Edinburgh physician Sir Robert Whytt in a posthumous report. The first meningitis outbreak was recorded in 1805 Geneva. The first ever outbreak in Africa was in 1840 and after that a bunch of epidemics had become more common in the 20th century. Meningitis has many symptoms, it has a treatment but no cure, and meningitis can cause some issues for a person.

Recurrent bacterial meningitis is a relatively rare condition. The estimated incidence is 4–9% of patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis. Recurrent cases are often associated with craniopharyngeal structural damage caused by previous trauma, surgical procedure, or immunocompromised state.1

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is present when bacterial infectious agents invade host defense mechanisms that usually guard against the brain and spinal cord infection in the subarachnoid space [2].

Meningococcal Meningitis is a serious illness that infects the thin lining, which encircles the spinal cord and brain. It could also affect the bloodstream (bacteremia or septicemia). It is a bacterial form of meningitis that spreads through transmission of respiratory droplets, such as coughing, sneezing, spiting, and kissing. This could only affect humans as no animal has been reported of the condition. The bacteria can be carried through the throat at certain situations.

Depending on the type of meningitis, there are many types of treatments. Bacterial meningitis, for example, must be treated immediately with venous antibiotics and corticosteroids. These helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications. (1) Potential complications include hydrocephalus, blindness, arthritis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and cognitive.

Meningococcemia is caused by a gram negative bacteria which infects the bloodstream and the brain if severe enough, and is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium. There are two forms of this illness: Meningococcal Meningitis, which occurs when the meninges become infected and swell; and Meningococcal Septicemia, occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream causing damage to the blood vessels, causing internal bleeding. Septicemia is the more serious form. Individuals at risk include people in daycare, cellmates, housemates, and especially those with a compromised immune system. There are vaccination for this disease, and are recommended if you are immunocompromised or live in areas where it is common, like in Africa. This disease isn’t very common in the United States, but it is still prevalent so good hygiene and avoiding sick individuals is necessary to stay healthy. When someone is infected though, an early diagnosis is critical to their survival, for the mortality rate is high, and the progression of this disease is extremely rapid, some people may die within hours of contracting it. Even if the infected person does survive, the person may have very serious physical and mental complications due to hemorrhaging of the blood vessels and damaged brain tissue.