Bacterial Meningitis

A detailed Summary of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis has made a known name for itself throughout the world. The word meningitis means "an inflammation of the meninges, or the brain and spinal cord linings" (Hoff 64). Since the late 1800's and early 1900's, bacterial meningitis has been at epidemic proportions. Killing nearly 300 people every year in the United States, it has grown to be a feared disease ("What"). Since bacterial meningitis is such a deadly disease, people need to become aware of its characteristics, how it works, and how to treat and prevent it.

Bacterial meningitis is a disease that is not easily foreseen because of its rapid onset, making it a must for people to know and understand its general characteristics. For example, various infectious agents can cause bacterial meningitis, but bacteria produce the most life-threatening forms ("Meningitis" E). Among the many bacteria causing this disease, Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most common and dangerous, multiplying in the meninges, producing pus that thickens the cerebrospinal fluid ("Meningitis" E). To obtain this bacteria is hard to do because the bacteria is unable to survive long in the air, but it is possible through direct contact like coughing, sneezing, a

Hoff, Brent, and Carter Smith III. Mapping Epidemics. Danbury, Connecticut: Franklin Watts Publishing. 2000.

gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.html>.

"Epidemic Meningococcal Disease." World Health Organization. 16 April 2001 "Bacterial Meningitis." Meningitis Foundation of America. 16 April 2001 nd kissing ("What"). In addition, physical body changes are direct red flags to help identify whether a person has caught bacterial meningitis ("Meningitis; meningococcal" T). Physical symptoms of bacterial meningitis are usually very fast, and may result in death in only a few hours. The first symptom o!

"Meningitis; meningococcal." Dr. Koop. 16 April 2001 Bacterial meningitis has three main stages that scientists use to help them learn more as to the severity of the individuals disease and what treatment to prescribe. For example, in the fist stage, bacteria in the nasal passages and throat multiply ("Meningitis" E). At first, it often does not produce any painful symptoms. In this stage, the infected person does not even realize he has been exposed to bacterial meningitis. In addition, in the second stage, the infection penetrates the blood, giving toxic substances to the circulatory system ("Meningitis" E). Fever and a rash might appear in this stage of bacterial meningitis. In severe cases, the rash might develop into hemorrhagic spots that may appear anywhere on the body ("Meningitis" E). Furthermore, in the third stage, the bacte

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Category: Science