What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a serious illness that has the potential to become fatal within hours. This includes infection and inflammation Meninges , which are liquid membranes that surround and protect both the spinal cord and the brain. This disease has two forms: bacterial and viral.

viral meningitis can be caused by any number of viruses spread to human contact or from insect bites, especially mosquitoes. This disease is rarely serious and resembles colds or flu. Although it is very unpleasant, it is usually solved in itself without medical intervention. However, bacterial meningitis is mainly caused by bacteria called hemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), Streptococcus pneumoniae or neisseria meningitides . The bacteria that cause this dangerous form multiply quickly and, when not treated, can cause brain damage and death. They tend to come very quickly and include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, rash, delirium or unoccupied withTav, nausea, vomiting and sometimes seizures. Not all of these symptoms must be present in order for a person to be sick with meningitis. In particular, it may seem that children younger two ages are sleepy, vomiting and refuse to eat. Any signs of any disease in an infant within three months of age should be considered a potential emergency.

Since symptoms may resemble other less serious illnesses, many unnecessary deaths occur every year. This is especially true for adolescents and adults who decide to find out whether their symptoms will clarify without medical care. Meningitis is insidious diseases and people with symptoms could benefit from accepting the proverb "better safe than sorry."

This disease is diagnosed with spine. Spinal tap includes drawing spine from the spinal canal with a needle. Culture is then pre -distributed by placing the fluid in a special machine thatIt speeds up the growth of bacteria, which, if present, can be seen and identified under a microscope.

Bacterial meningitis is effectively treated with antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of death below 15%. Viral meningitis cannot be treated with antibiotics. Strong cases affecting persons with a compromised immune system must be very young and very old to receive medical supervision and care, while the virus leads its course.

Meningitis is a contagious disease, but fortunately it is not as contagious as flu or cold. It affects approximately 25,000 people in the United States annually, which is 0.01% of the population. It will be expanded with extended contact with respiratory secretions such as cough or sneezing, or saliva when kissing or sharing drinks. It is important that one is looking for medical auto, if someone knows or suspects that one came into contact with an infected person, regardless of the length of exposure.

bacterial meningitis can be prevented by vaccines. In the US, many countries require thatAll children were vaccinated for certain types before attending the school. The extensive use of vaccines in developed countries makes this disease much less predominant than countries that do not have access to these vaccines. Unfortunately, countries that have a predominantly unanimized population suffer from deadly epidemics. Travelers should always take measures that have outbreaks of meningitis and other diseases that are rare in countries that use vaccination.