Essay On Meningitis

Meningitis

Meningitis is a deadly disease. Meningitis is the disease where the protective membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord has an inflammation. Meningitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Meningitis can be quite painful to suffer through, although the treatment is not that complex, the affected human suffers a variety of the following symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, sleepiness or diffuclty waking up, no appetite or thirst, rash of purple discolouration fever, sensitivity to bright light and loud noises, confusion, neck stiffness and muscular rigidity. If Meningitis is treated incorrectly it can lead to death, this is one of the reasons as to why Meningitis is considered a medical emergency. Figure 1.1 Normal Meninges VS Meningitis

Meningitis is a contagious disease meaning it can be spread through direct human contact such as infected touches, kisses, coughs or sneezes. Meningitis causing bacteria are more likely to attack the membranes in your brain after a fracture in the head, brain surgery or a sinus infection has happened recently. Figure 1.2 Meningitis is a contagious disease

Viral meningitis occurs in children in most cases but may occur in other age groups. The way viral meningitis spreads depends on the type of virus Some viruses that can cause meningitis are spread from person to person by respiratory secretions, others through contact with faecal matter. The symptoms of viral meningitis are common to the symptoms of bacterial meningitis. The most common cases of viral meningitis is caused by a virus called the enterovirus. More uncommon viruses that can lead to viral meningitis include: West Nile virus, mumps, measles, herpes simplex types I and II, varicella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)