Meningitis

After a recent visit to the cinema I decided to research further into Meningitis which is a terminal disease if left untreated. The meninges are a layer of protective membranes engulfing the Spinal cord and Brain. An inflammation (namely meningitis) may be caused by an infection through viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms. Certain medicinal and recreational drugs have also been known to cause a similar infection. Meningitis is classed as a terminal disease because of the inflammations proximity to the Brain and Spinal cord.

Symptoms include a headache and neck stiffness in conjunction with a fever, confusion, vomiting, photophobia (aversion to light) and phonophobia (aversion to noise). If a rash is present and does not fade under pressure then the meningitis may be caused by meningococcal bacteria. Infants often exhibit only non-specific symptoms such as drowsiness and irritability.

For a formal diagnosis a lumbar puncture may be carried out. A needle is inserted into the spinal cord in the lumbar area of the spine (around the dural sac). Then a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is extracted. This fluid covers the Brain and Spinal cord. The CSF is then examined in a medical laboratory and if the inflammation is present antibiotics and sometimes antivirals may be administered in the early stages of infection. Corticosteroids have also been known to prevent complications from excessive inflammation. Meningitis can lead to some long term consequences such as deafness, hydrocephalus and epilepsy. Certain forms of meningitis may also be prevented by immunization.