Meningitis

Paper Summary:

This paper is about the various forms of meningitis, and how they affect the body. Meningitis means an inflammation of the meninges, or the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a number of factors, but infectious meningitis is due to multiplication of fungal, viral or bacterial organisms. All may develop as the result of a compromised immune system, and may be secondary to other infections in the body. The paper goes on to cover signs and symptoms, types of meningitis and causes of the disease. This paper then discusses treatment and prevention (including preventing transmission of this highly contagious disease).

Outline:
Introduction
Etiology
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"All three forms of meningitis have similar symptoms. These may include fever and leukocytosis, headache, and the inability to bend one's head at the neck. The symptoms can be quite confusing, as they overlap those of many other diseases, including influenza, a generalized infection or a common cold. For babies, symptoms may also parallel those of viral meningitis.
"These symptoms can include: fever, severe and persistent headache, vomiting, confusion, seizures (in more advanced cases), skin rash, confusion and a lower consciousness level, and a stiff neck (particularly when moving forward towards the chest).
"These symptoms may not be as frequent in babies or older adults, partly because of their inability to communicate their symptoms. In young children, for example, the symptoms may resemble the flue, with cough, breathing difficulties and fever. In babies, the symptoms can include rash, vomiting, a reduced appetite and body stiffness."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bashir, HE, Laundy, M and Booy, R. "Diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis." Archives of Disease in Childhood (2003): 615-620.
• Mayhall CG, Archer NH, Lamb VA, Spadora AC, Baggett JW, Ward JD, Narayan RK. "Ventriculostomy-related infections. A prospective epidemiologic study." NEJM (1984): 553-559.
• Radetsky, M. "Duration of symptoms and outcome in bacterial meningitis: an analysis of causation and the implications of a delay in diagnosis." Pediatr Infect Dis J (1992): 698-701.
• Schuchat, A, Robinson, K, Wenger, JD, Harrison, LH, Farley, M, Reingold, AL, Lefkowitz, L and Perkins, BA. "Bacterial Meningitis in the United States in 1995." JAMA (1997): 970-976.

More papers on Meningitis:

• Essay # 25182 : "Symptoms and Treatment of Meningitis"
• Persuasive Essay # 124561 : "Menveo Meningitis Vaccine"
• Essay # 52758 : "Meningitis on College Campuses"

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