Bacterial Meningitis Research Paper

Bacterial meningitis is life threatening disease that nearly 4,100 Americans are affected by each year. While most of those infected by the disease recover, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities can result from the infection. Furthermore, there are numerous types of bacteria that can cause meningitis. Often, the bacteria associated with bacterial meningitis is commonly found in another life altering illness, sepsis.1 The etiology, pathology, treatment options, and athletic participation considerations will be discussed throughout the course of this paper.

What is Bacterial Meningitis? Bacterial meningitis is life threatening disease that nearly 4,100 Americans are affected by each year.2

At times, bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretion (saliva and/or spit) during close or lengthy contact, especially if living in the same household. Those who are in close contact with those infected with meningococcal or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis are at increased risk of getting infected and may need preventative antibiotics. On the contrary, if one is in contact with someone infected by meningitis caused by other bacteria, such as, Streptococcus pneumoniae, they do not need to receive a prescription from their doctor. 1 Ironically, most of the bacteria that cause meningitis are not as contagious as viruses that cause the common cold or flu. Although, the bacteria associated with bacterial meningitis is commonly found in another life altering illness, sepsis. According to the Center of Diseases and Control, Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life threatening response to infection that can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and ultimately death. Causal contact or simply breathing the air in which a person infected with bacterial meningitis has breathed will not spread the bacteria. However, other meningitis causing bacteria are not spread person to person, but can cause disease due to the certain risk factors, such as, a weak immune system or head trauma. It should be noted, that one can get meningitis from Listeria monocytogenes by eating

If listeriosis is believed to have been developed, symptoms to watch for include, fatigue, and headaches. Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection of the newborn. Lastly, pregnant women who test positive for group B Streptococcus (group B strep) can pass the harmful bacteria to their baby, typically occurring during labor delivery. A newborn infected with group B strep bacteria can develop meningitis or other life threatening infections soon after birth. It is recommended that pregnant women should get screened for group B strep bacteria at 35-37 weeks. If a woman tests positive for the bacteria, they will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent the infection from spreading to the