Meningitis Research Paper

Meningitis is a bad disease that effects the muscles in the back and neck as well as effecting the immune system. This research paper should give all of the information that a person should need to know about all types of meningitis. This is a research paper about meningitis, and how it is transmitted, how it effects victims, and the treatment for it.

Meningitis is the infection of the meninges. It is caused most commonly by bacterial or viral infection, and may be caused by fungal infection, or parasite. Anyone can get this disease (Medline Plus). Infections and other things in the brain can cause inflammation in the brain and spine, and it is caused sometimes by complication in surgery (NIH). Some forms are contagious. Viral or aseptic meningitis

is usually caused by enteroviruses. Other forms of meningitis include meningococcal, Haemophilius, listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and mycobacterium. The most common type is Pneumococcal meningitis, and is the most serious. Even though it is unfortunate that Pneumococcal meningitis is the worst and also the most common, it is treatable and if you get treated before it gets too bad you will be fine (Medline Plus). It spreads sometimes through airborne droplets, including coughing or sneezing. In the U.S., there are less than two hundred thousand cases a year. Most cases involve preteens and young adults, because they have not received the proper vaccine yet. Some cases involve hospitalization. At first, you could think it is the flu, but if you notice most of the signs from the next paragraph, make sure you receive medical attention (Medline Plus).
Meningitis is a bad disease with many symptoms. Hallmark signs are sudden fever, severe headache, nausea, double vision, fever, seizures, behavioral change, and confusion. Less common effects are sensitivity to light and stiff neck. When dealing with meningitis you can expect soreness in the back, and muscles. Some cases also have distinctive rashes. Severe cases can cause brain damage, stroke, or death. Meningococcal meningitis is associated with kidney and adrenal gland failure. Important signs in children include fever, lethargy, bulging soft spot on a baby’s head, and not waking for feeding. Meningitis often appears with flulike symptoms. Most of the time meningitis takes 2 days to develop completely, although it can sometimes develop faster, and sometimes slower. It is important to recognize these symptoms and make sure that you get medical attention. The development time of the symptoms is also a giveaway for this disease. (Medline Plus)
Even though it is a bad disease, it also has treatment and you can recover from it.

Before doctors can start treatment, they have to conduct a physical exam. They also have to review your medical history and activities. A doctor may order various diagnostic tests that assess motor, sensory functions, nerve function, hearing and speech, vision, coordination, balance, and mental status. The doctor may also check for your recent exposure to insects or animals. Screening of your blood and urine may also be required (Medline Plus). After initial diagnosis, antibiotics are started immediately, and normally injected with a syringe. The earlier you start treatment the better the outcome. There will also be better results if the source of infection is removed. Sources may include shunts or heart valves. Although children and elderly have a high chance of passing away, the disease effects all ages and all ages can die from it. Three to five percent of the people diagnosed do not live through it (NIH). Some types of meningitis are preventable through a vaccine. Even though most of the time it is a bad disease it can sometimes cure itself and doesn’t need medical attention, but if you think you are suffering from it get medical attention anyways just to be safe. If you are not treated and it is a more serious form of meningitis then it is very possible that you will have permanent damage. This research paper about meningitis has shown the important facts of the disease, how it effects

its victims, and how it is treated. As stated in the paper, meningitis is a cruel disease that can affect you the rest of your life or even end it completely. If you have the symptoms, you should go to the doctor because it is a life threatening disease, and if you are treated immediately, you have a smaller chance of brain damage as well as a better chance of survival, and if you are treated correctly and in time, you will not have permanent problems from it