Download Meningitis Bacterial Disease Meningitis Bacterial Disease Veronica

Meningitis Bacterial Disease
1
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
Veronica Chantelle Govea
University of Texas at El Paso
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
Abstract
As time goes day by day medicine is progressing slowly. There are different
deadly diseases, one of the deadly diseases is meningitis and very few people know about
it and all the risks and hazards that can cause. Most people is asking to their self what is
meningitis? The definition of meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the lining
that surround the brain. What are the symptoms of meningitis? Meningitis can produce a
lot of symptoms such as headache, low grade fever and tiredness lasting two to three days
in some patients. Treatment for persons who have viral or aseptic meningitis usually
consists of reducing fever and making sure they take plenty of liquids. All three forms of
bacterial meningitis, however, require the immediate medical attention of a physician and
can be treated with a number of antibiotics. Medicine is one of the many tools that
doctors have to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as the doctor suggests will
improve people´s health and may prevent future problems.
2
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
Some parents, because whether of their youth or poor examples, never learn good
parenting skills. They might have unrealistic ideas of what parenting is like or what
children require for proper care. They become frustrated and angry at feeling like a failure
at parenting or at the demands of their children, which is when they start abusing of their
kids, spanking them. Some people enter into parenthood with unrealistic expectations and
they may be surprised at the amount of care and attention that the child needs. People
needs to know about all the risks that every child can pass through, all the disease that can
cause a real change to a child´s life.
As time goes day by day medicine is progressing slowly. There are different
deadly diseases, one of the deadly diseases is meningitis and very few people know about
it and all the risks and hazards that can cause. To better understand how meningitis starts,
it starts in 1805 in Geneva, also were found several other epidemics in Europe and the
United States. First outbreak was in Africa in 1840, most of the epidemics started in the
20th century. The first evidence bacterial infection as a cause of meningitis was written by
a bacteriology named Anton Vaykselbaum who described meningitis in 1887. By the end
of the 19th century more symptoms and conditions were described. Meningitis symptoms
were described in 1884 by some Russian physician. In 1968 there was a proved that there
are more than 200 different viruses that can cause meningitis infections.
Most people is asking to their self what is meningitis? The definition of meningitis
is an inflammation of the meninges, the lining that surround the brain. The inflammation
is caused when certain viruses or bacteria enter the fluid that surrounds the spine and the
brain and infect the meninges. Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous than viral
meningitis. It can lead to disability or death. Immediate treatment is essential. Meningitis
3
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
is caused by viruses and bacteria that are commonly found in the nose and the throat. In a
small percentage of people, these common viruses or bacteria spread to the blood stream
and are carried to the meninges. Is known that young children, teenagers and elderly
people are more prone to getting meningitis than other ages, why? Medical community
does not understand why this happens. (2009, What is Meningitis? What Causes
Meningitis?).
The bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis are spread through direct
contact with respiratory excretions and throat excretions. For example: kissing a person
infected or being coughed on by an infected person. Meningitis is not considered to be a
condition that is transmitted through the air, because the responsible viruses and bacteria
cannot live for very long outside of the body.
There are two types of meningitis Viral Meningitis and Bacterial meningitis. Viral
meningitis also know n as aseptic meningitis, is the most common type of meningitis and
is less severe than bacterial meningitis. An average of 600 cases aseptic meningitis are
reported annually, with most occurring in late summer and early autumn. The majority of
cases of aseptic meningitis are due to viruses called enteroviruses that can infect the
stomach and small intestine. A small number of cases are caused by different viruses,
which can be transmitted by infected mosquitos, these are called arboviruses. Fatal cases
of viral meningitis are rare and complete recovery is the rule.
What are the symptoms of meningitis? Meningitis can produce a lot of symptoms
such as headache, low grade fever and tiredness lasting two to three days in some
patients. In other patients, the symptoms can be sever and begin suddenly with fever,
headache and stiff neck accompanied by some combination of other symptoms such as
decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, sensitive to bright light, confusion and sleepiness.
4
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
In newborns and infants the classic findings of fever, headache and stiff neck may or may
not be present. An infant may have no other symptoms that being listless, irritable and
sleepy, having little interest in feeding and possibly vomiting. A purplish red rash may
appear with meningococcal meningitis. ¨ Meningitis symptoms can come on fast and
progress very rapidly. The most common symptoms are a high fever, severe headache and
a stiff neck. Vomiting, confusion, joint pain, drowsiness, discomfort in bright lighting and
confusion can also occur. A person with meningitis may exhibit any combination of the
above symptoms.¨ (2005, Mandal, A.).
Treatment for persons who have viral or aseptic meningitis usually consists of
reducing fever and making sure they take plenty of liquids. All three forms of bacterial
meningitis, however, require the immediate medical attention of a physician and can be
treated with a number of antibiotics. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of the most
common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the fatality rate to approximately 10
percent though the fatality rate is higher in infants, the elderly and persons with certain
underlying medical conditions. Because meningitis can cause serious damage in a short
amount of time, anyone suspected of having meningitis should get immediate treatment.
For bacterial meningitis, strong doses of intravenous antibiotics are required. Viruses
cannot be killed by antibiotics, so most treatment for viral meningitis does not involve
medications to kill the virus. Depending on the source of infection, infected sinuses may
need to be drained as part of treatment. ¨ Early treatment for bacterial meningitis is
important for people with the disease. Bacterial meningitis treatment involves strong
doses of intravenous antibiotics. Antibiotics may also be given to prevent other bacterial
infections.¨ (2009, Schoenstadt, A.).
Transmission of viral and bacterial meningitis can be prevented by raising the
level of hygiene among persons at risk of infection and among those who might be
5
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
spreading the disease. Of primary importance is proper handwashing technique. Wet
hands with soap and warm water. Rub hands for 10 to 20 seconds, making sure you clean
under fingernails. Rinse under warm running water. Dry hands on a paper towel or your
own clean towel. When paper towels are available, use a paper towel to turn off the water
faucet and throw the towel away. Persons should cover their noses and mouths when
sneezing or coughing and discard used tissues promptly. Wash hands thoroughly
following exposure to respiratory secretions, including handling of soiled tissues and
handkerchiefs. Persons should not share straws, cups, glasses, water bottles used during
sports or recreation, eating utensils, cigarettes, etc. Eating and drinking utensils should
not be shared and should be used by others only after they have been washed.
Discouraging persons from kissing an infant, toddler or child on the mouth also can help
prevent the spread of illness. ¨ There's a lot [people] can do to help prevent meningitis in
your teen. A meningococcal vaccine can help prevent the leading cause of bacterial
meningitis in teens. [Their] teen can also take steps to enhance his or her immune system
and to prevent the spread of the disease.¨ (2012, Benaroch, R.). Keeping the immune
system healthy helps prevent susceptibility to a wide range of diseases. It may also help
prevent infection by the viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis. This is just one more
reason your teen may benefit from: Eating a well-balanced diet, rich in vegetables and
fruits, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, avoiding cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol.
Medicine is one of the many tools that doctors have to treat a health problem.
Taking medicine as the doctor suggests will improve people´s health and may prevent
future problems. If they don't take medicines properly, they may be putting their health
and perhaps their life at risk. There are many reasons why people have trouble taking
their medicine. But in most cases, there is something people can do. All medicines have
side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with
6
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
them. People have to ask pharmacists about the side effects of each medicine they take.
Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with their medicine. Usually the
benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects. Side effects may
go away after they take the medicine for a while. If side effects still bother, people should
wonder if they should keep taking the medicine, have to call their doctor. He or she may
be able to lower their dose or change their medicine. (2010Antibiotics for Bacterial
Meningitis).
7
Meningitis Bacterial Disease
References
Antibiotics for Bacterial Meningitis (2010, December 08). Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/brain/antibiotics-for-bacterial-meningitis
Benaroch, R. (2012, August 02) Prevent meningitis: Tips to Protect Your Teen. Retrieved from
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/prevent-meningitis-tips-protect-your-teen
Dallas, E. (2012, January 17) Vaccine against Bacterial Meningitis Shows Promise.
Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=153689
Kivi, R. (2009, 19 May). What is Meningitis? What Causes Meningitis? Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4616087_meningitis-develop.html
Mandal, A. (2005, 20 April) Meningitis History. Retrieved from
http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Meningitis.aspx
Schoenstadt, A. (2009, September 09) Meningitis Treatment. Retrieved from
http://meningitis.emedtv.com/meningitis/meningitis-treatment.html
Slowik, G., (2012, April 19) Meningitis retrieved from
http://ehealthmd.com/content/what- meningitis
8