Meningitis Research Paper

Prevention really is the best cure. Meningitis is the inflammation of the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain or spinal cord. There are three main types of the meningitis infection: bacterial (both infectious and non-infectious), viral, and fungal/environmental (including parasitic). Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually bacteria or viruses, but can also be caused by physical injury, cancer or certain drugs. Meningitis can be hard to recognize and can affect anyone, anywhere and at any time. We chose the disease, meningitis, because we have personally experienced the devastation this
Direct contact of respiratory fluids (nose or throat), feces (both animal and human), bird or bat droppings, fungal spores and environmental contamination, are some of the causes for contamination of meningitis. It is important to remember that it can also be non-infectious, which means that it cannot be transferred from person to person through contact. In the US alone, there are 1,500 deaths per year; 20% of those infected suffer long term side effects and 11% die. Rate of population is noted as, 1-3 / 100,000 population fatalities world-wide (College increases for on campus to 3 / 100,000 (off campus 1 / 100,000)). Survivors of bacterial meningitis may require ongoing treatment or therapy after initial recovery. Many patients experience after-effects, which can be mild to serious and even disabling. 15-20% of all patients are left with serious impairment requiring on-going support. Some of the complications caused by bacterial meningitis can be: aggressive behavior, acquired brain injury, balance problems, cerebral palsy, behavioral changes, blindness or vision loss (temporary or permanent), concentration problems, deafness or hearing loss, depression, exhaustion, developmental delay in children, emotional changes, epilepsy, joint soreness, stiffness, learning
We personally experienced the devastation of bacterial, non-infectious, meningitis. Our mom was diagnosed with meningitis a couple years ago due to a spontaneous cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak exposing and infecting her meninges membranes. She had several of the symptoms listed above such as; unresponsiveness, nausea, exhaustion, achiness, pain, stiffness in her neck and severe headaches. We were lucky to have caught it in time and rushed her to the ER. We were told she would have had less than 24 hours to live if she would not have been treated; had we had waited until the next morning, she would not have made it. They did several blood tests and a spinal tap to determine her diagnosis. She was put in the ICU and treated with IV antibiotics, fluids and oxygen. My family is very aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and we continue to educate ourselves because my mom could get meningitis again at any time due to her chronic CSF lead. It was very scary experience and we are so grateful for the antibiotics developed to treat this disease and ongoing research that continues to be done world-wide. Meningitis is a global issue that can strike anyone, anywhere, and at anytime, yet most serious forms can be prevented. We support “Join Hands