Many people have heard about meningitis but they are not exactly sure what it is. According to the Center for Disease Control, Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is most common in children although, it can attack people of all ages. In 1805, “ Vieusseux first discovered Meningococcal meningitis during an outbreak in Switzerland, though it wasn’t until 1887 that the causative agent was identified by Anton Weichselbaum” (Manchanda 2006). The name given to it was Neisseria intracellularis due to the nature of the intracellular oval micrococci of the organism. The disease was fatal in 70 percent of the cases before the 1920s. There are over 10 different serotypes that cause infection. Common causes of meningitis vary by strain and age groups.
Causes/Symptoms/Transmission
Meningitis may develop in response to a
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Rarely, these bacteria can invade the body and cause disease. Most people who ‘carry’ the bacteria never become sick.
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure.
Babies younger than 1 month old are at a higher risk for severe infections, like meningitis, than older children. In newborns and infants, the classic meningitis symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to notice. The infant may appear to be slow or inactive (lack of alertness), irritable, vomiting or feeding poorly. In young infants, doctors may look for a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on infant’s head) or abnormal reflexes, which can also be signs of meningitis. If you think your infant has any of these symptoms, call the doctor or clinic right away
Viral Meningitis
Common Symptoms in
Meningitis can be destructive without proper understanding of what it is caused by. There are three types of meningitis- bacterial, fungal, and viral. Contrasting factors tend to arise during a comparison of them. One of the most notable areas that viral, fungal and bacterial meningitis differ in are their treatment ability. However, they have the same general affects on the human body. In any case, there are tests that doctors can utilize in order to discover if the meningitis is bacterial, fungal, or 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 instantly can strike and the impact of that strike can forever last a lifetime. Meningitis is the inflammation and infection of the meninges that surround your brain and spinal cord. This infection, which can be bacterial, viral or fungal can be very serious and can cause prolonged effects. One such effect is hearing loss, profound hearing loss. Meningitis is a dangerous infection because the brain is so delicate.
Anyone can get meningitis at any point in their life. However, children between 1 month and two years old, adults with alcohol problem or chronic ear and nose infections, individuals with sickle cell disease, kidney failure or college students (16-23 years old), and people in military are more likely to get bacterial
There are many different types of meningitis, as well there are different forms of identifying each of them, which is really important for the health care provider in order to assist their patients with the correct for of treatment; there are many types of meningitis, which in most cases are associated with other diseases. To confirm the disease a lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid may be done.
Meningitis is associated several unpleasant symptom such as fever, vomiting, headache, limb pain, and neck stiffness(Refernce). The severity of symptom varies according to the type of pathogen , duration of illness and the age of child( feign1992 ). .According to the recent evidence based reports, Suspected bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and immediate diagnostic steps must be taken to establish the specific cause so that appropriate antimicrobial therapy can be initiated. The mortality rate of untreated bacterial meningitis approaches 100 percent and, even with optimal therapy, morbidity and mortality may occur. Neurologic sequelae are common among survivors.meningities is considered as medical emergency required Now, of course, the admission to hospital can be unpleasant for the child and the use of antibiotics itself might cause some adverse effect. However, the illness syndrome and complications results in much more suffering over a longer duration than does the
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
According the Mayo Clinic’s website my roommate is experiencing symptoms that correlate with bacterial meningitis. The symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, and sensitivity to light (“Meningitis” Mayo). Meningitis and other infectious diseases are easily spread in highly populated areas such as college campuses and dorms (“Meningits” CDC). Bacterial meningitis can be fatal within just a few days if not properly treated; it is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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
First of all, Meningitis Has some symptoms that can cause problems in a person. Some of the symptoms that are caused in adults are fever, headaches, stiff neck, light sensitive, sleepiness or trouble waking up from sleep, vomiting, and a lack of energy. These were some of the symptoms that can cause meningitis. Most of the time “most people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days”(Laboratory Information). There are some symptoms that can cause a baby
Everyone is at risk of getting bacterial meningitis as it is an infectious disease, especially babies, due to their developing immune systems.35 Bacterial meningitis is more severe in children who also have similar symptoms such as fevers, and feel fretful and often anorectic (loss of appetite).36 These symptoms occur because of the change in behaviour. Thus, more care would be needed to be given the child with this disease as they cannot always take the same medications as adults, especially in large doses.37 The risks of getting bacterial meningitis are dependent on the seriousness of this infection; the more serious this infection is, the more likely it can cause negative adverse effects on the individuals, especially death.38
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
Throughout history in the United States, various epidemics have had their adverse effects amongst the population. Yet, those who fall particularly vulnerable to such epidemics are those whom are often young and have yet to build proper immunity to foreign invaders. One of the most feared diseases for children and young adults today is Bacterial Meningitis. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Meningitis can be formed through the inflammation of the meninges in an individual’s brain (2014). Although there are numerous causes for Meningitis, Bacterial Meningitis is the most severe and often deadly strain in which greatly effects children and young adults (CDC, 2014). Furthermore, the prevalence of meningitis continues to
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.