Skip to main content

Home/ Meningitis/ Group items tagged MeningitisGoogleGroup

Rss Feed Group items tagged

denaehooks391

Meningococcal Meningitis - TN.Gov - 0 views

  • Meningitis is a term that describes inflammation of the tissues and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
  • caused by bacteria or viruses.
  • s a type of bacterial meningitis caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.
  • ...25 more annotations...
  • acteria can also cause other kinds of meningococcal disease such as septicemia (blood poisoning).
  • common type of bacterial meningitis is pneumococcal meningitis, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • eading cause of bacterial meningitis was Haemophilus influenzae type b, but new vaccines being given to children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of this disease.
  • not fully understood why a few people develop meningitis from bacteria which are harmless to most people, but it may be because of a weakened immune system.
  • Symptoms include fever, sudden severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, and vomiting
  • wo or more symptoms of these symptoms, seek help from a health care provider right away.
  • will carry this bacteria in the back of their nose and throat at some point in their lives without ever getting sick or even realizing they are there.
  • the bacteria overcome the body’s immune system and pass through the lining of the nose and throat into the blood stream where they can cause meningitis.
  • Viral meningitis, which is caused by viruses, can cause similar symptoms to bacterial meningitis, however it is seldom life-threatening. Most people make a full recovery without any specific treatment.
  • people who have had close contact with an infected person are given antibiotics to make sure they are protected.
  • mall percentage of people who are exposed to the bacteria will develop meningitis because most people have a natural resistance to it.
  • pread through exchange of respiratory droplets or saliva with an infected person, including kissing, coughing , sneezing, and sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils, or cigarettes.
  • he bacteria that cause meningitis are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
  • very weak and can only survive for a short time outside the body
  • cannot live long in the air and are not carried on clothes, furniture, or other surfaces.
  • Meningococcal meningitis can be extremely serious.
  • esult in blindness, hearing loss, mental retardation, loss of limbs or death.
  • t is fatal in one in ten cases, and one in seven survivors is left with a severe hand
  • icap. The disease can progress quite rapidly, so it is important to seek medical attention quickly.
  • t would occur in two to seven days, usually less than four days.
  • an be contagious from the time they are infected until the bacteria has disappeared from their body.
  • meningococcal disease (which includes meningococcal meningitis) occurs annually in about 1 to 3 people per 100,000 population.
  • averaged about 70 cases per year for the past few years.
  • There is a vaccine that will decrease the risk of some types of meningococcal meningitis, but it does not totally eliminate risk of the disease.
  • ot effective against the B strain; although it is highly effective against the C and Y strains, it still does not confer 100% protection.  Protection lasts from three to five years.
denaehooks391

What Is Meningitis? Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Meningitis Causes - 0 views

  • Fungal meningitis is much less common than the other two infectious forms. Fungus-related meningitis is rare in healthy people
  • someone who has an impaired immune system -- such as a person with AIDS -- is more likely to become infected with this form of meningitis.
  • Children under age 5 Teenagers and young adults age 16-25 Adults over age 55
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • ore of a danger for people with certain medical conditions, such as a damaged or absent spleen, chronic disease, or immune system disorders.
  • Because certain germs that cause meningitis can be contagious, outbreaks are most likely to occur in places where people are living in close quarters. So college students in dorms or army recruits in barracks are at higher risk.
  • raveling to areas where meningitis is more common, such as parts of Africa.
  • it's still a rare disease and there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of getting the disease.
szapata805

Meningitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - 0 views

  • Viral meningitis can be caused by herpes viruses, the same virus that can cause cold sores and genital herpes .
  • Viruses that cause mumps and HIV can cause aseptic meningitis.
  • most often affects children and adults under age 30. 
  • ...23 more annotations...
  • Fever and chillsMental status changesNausea and vomitingSensitivity to light (photophobia)Severe headacheStiff neck (meningismus)
  • Antibiotics do not treat viral meningitis.
  • Viral meningitis is usually not serious, and symptoms should disappear within 2 weeks with no lasting complications.
  • If you think that you or your child has symptoms of meningitis, get emergency medical help immediately. Early treatment is key to a good outcome.
  • Haemophilus vaccine (HiB vaccine) in children helps prevent one type of bacterial meningitis.
  • The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is now a routine childhood immunization. It is very effective at preventing pneumococcal meningitis
  • acterial meningitis infections are extremely serious, and may result in death or brain damage,
  • eningococcal vaccination is recommended for:Adolescents ages 11 - 12 and adolescents entering high school (about age 15) who have not already received the vaccination. A booster shot is given between age 16-18.All college freshmen who have not been vaccinated and are living in dorms. Children age 2 and older who do not have their spleen or who have other problems with their immune system.Those traveling to countries where diseases caused by meningococcus are very common (ask your doctor).
  • eople with cold sores or genital herpes are not at a greater risk of developing herpes meningitis.
  • AgitationBulging fontanelles in babies Decreased alertnessPoor feeding or irritability in childrenRapid breathing
  • causes of meningitis are viral infections that usually get better without treatment.
  • k arched backwards (opisthotonos)
  • Fast heart rateFeverMental status changesStiff neckIf the hea
  • Brain damage
  • Buildup of fluid between the skull and brain (subdural effusion)Hearing lossHydrocephalus
  • Seizures
  • Unusual posture, with the head and nec
  • Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
  • Meningitis may also be caused by:
  • Chemical irritationDrug allergiesFungiParasitesTumors
  • Viral meningitis occurs more often than bacterial meningitis, and is milder. It usually occurs in the late summer and early fall.
  • Bacteria meningitis is an emergency. You will need immediate treatment in a hospital. Symptoms usually come on quickly, and may include:
  • Meningitis is an important cause of fever in children and newborns.
  •  
    Meningitis help
  •  
    "Meningitis may also be caused by: Chemical irritation Drug allergies Fungi Parasites Tumors"
bwilliams181

Staphylococcal Meningitis: Risk Factors, Causes & Diagnosis - 0 views

  • two ways a person can contract Staphylococcal meningitis.
  • Hospital-acquired means that you got the infection while being treated at a hospital or nursing home.
  • Community-acquired means that you got the infection outside of the hospital or a healthcare setting.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Both infections are treated in the same way.
bwilliams181

Staphylococcal Meningitis: Risk Factors, Causes & Diagnosis - 1 views

  • Staphylococcal meningitis (SM) is a bacterial infection affecting the meninges—the protective covering around the spinal cord and brain
  • rare and can be deadly.
  • either community- or hospital-acquired.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • it is usually a complication of a surgical procedure.
  • Early symptoms of SM are vague and may not be taken seriously because they resemble a cold or flu.
  • They grow more serious as the infection worsens.
  • Treatment is difficult because the condition is so rare.
  • Many patients are given the wrong antibiotics upon hospital arrival. Even with correct antibiotics, the risk of death is very high. Those with underlying chronic conditions have a higher risk of mortality.
shaneep110

Meningococcal meningitis - Prevention - 0 views

    • shaneep110
       
      The first paragraph and maybe the second/third are the only ones of value.
  • Meningococcal disease risk can be decreased by approximately 90% in household contacts of a patient by administration of antibiotics known to eradicate meningococcal carriage
    • shaneep110
       
      Meningococcal - Inflammation of the meninges due to infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.
  • hemoprophylaxis significantly decreased the risk of meningococcal disease for household contacts with a risk ratio of 0.11 for those receiving chemoprophylaxis
    • shaneep110
       
      chemoprophylaxis - the use of drugs to prevent disease.
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • This is based on a meta-analysis of 4 retrospective studies and one small trial with 1249 cases of meningococcal disease and more than 4200 household contacts
  • In the United States, antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis is the primary means for prevention of meningococcal disease among close contacts of a patient with invasive meningococcal disease
    • shaneep110
       
      antimicrobial - an agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. 
  • The number needed to treat to prevent a single secondary household case was 218
  • (Purcell et al 2004). T
  • herefore, chemoprophylaxis should be recommended for the index patient with meningococcal disease and all household contacts within 24 hours of diagnosis of the primary case.
  • There are no high quality experimental trials addressing control policies for meningococcal disease and no adequate studies of chemoprophylaxis in day care settings. Nevertheless, current management guidelines support chemoprophylaxis within 24 hours for all close contacts
  • Chemoprophylaxis administered more than 14 days after contact with an index case is probably of no value. Also, chemoprophylaxis does not protect against subsequent reacquisition of N meningitidis.
  • Close Contacts Warranting Chemoprophylaxis for Meningococcal Disease
    • shaneep110
       
      New Title: ways of transmission 
  • Persons having contact with patient’s oral secretions during 7 days prior to disease onset
  • -- Kissing -- Sharing of toothbrushes -- Sharing of eating utensils -- Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation -- Unprotected contact during endotracheal intubation
    • shaneep110
       
      Unprotected Sex
  • Persons at Low Risk for Whom Chemoprophylaxis is Not Recommended
    • shaneep110
       
      New Title: Low Risk People
  • Casual contact (eg, at school or work) without direct exposure to patient’s oral secretions Indirect contact only (ie, only contact is with a high-risk contact and not a case) Health care worker without direct exposure to patient’s oral secretions
  • Rifampin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin
    • shaneep110
       
      Rifampin - a reddish-brown antibiotic used chiefly to treat tuberculosis and leprosy. ceftriaxone - Treats infections caused by certain types of bacteria. This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic.  cephalosporin - any of a group of semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics resembling penicillin. ciprofloxacin - This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic that treats infections and is given to people who have been exposed to anthrax. quinolone - any of a class of antibiotics used in treating a variety of mainly Gram-negative infections, and thought to be responsible for antibiotic resistance in some microbes. Gram-negative - a staining technique for the preliminary identification of bacteria, in which a violet dye is applied, followed by a decolorizing agent and then a red dye. The cell walls of certain bacteria
  • (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000; 2001; Committee on Infectious Disease 2000).
  • azithromycin
    • shaneep110
       
      azithromycin - Treats bacterial infections. This medicine is a macrolide antibiotic. macrolide - any of a class of antibiotics containing a lactone ring, of which the first and best known is erythromycin. lactone - an organic compound containing an ester group -OCO- as part of a ring. erythromycin - an antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused byan antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. It is similar in its effects to penicillin. Gram-positive - a staining technique for the preliminary identification of bacteria, in which a violet dye is applied, followed by a decolorizing agent and then a red dye. The cell walls of certain bacteria.
  • nasopharyngeal
    • shaneep110
       
      nasopharyngeal - of or relating to or located near the nasopharynx nasopharynx - the upper part of the pharynx, connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate.
  • the drug of choice is rifampin, which is both effective and inexpensive. For young children rifampin can be administered with greater patient acceptance in a flavored syrup. Rifampin is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Rifampin may interfere with the efficacy of oral contraceptives, and some antiepileptic and anticoagulant medications. Rifampin may also stain the urine orange for a couple days and may stain soft contact lenses. Ciprofloxacin is also not recommended for use in pregnant women.
shaneep110

Meningitis - Prevention.com - 1 views

  • Meningitis is an inflammation of coverings (meninges) of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Most often it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
  • systemic lupus erythematosus.
    • shaneep110
       
      Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease that leads to long-term (chronic) inflammation.
  • ...37 more annotations...
  • Viral, or aseptic, meningitis is the most common type.
    • shaneep110
       
      aspestic - free from contamination caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.
  • In general, viral meningitis is not directly contagious. Anyone can get viral meningitis, but it occurs most often in children. Many different viruses can cause meningitis
  • an enterovirus tends to be the usual culprit.
    • shaneep110
       
      Meaning of enterovirus - any of a group of RNA viruses that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes spreading to the central nervous system or other parts of the body. gastrointestinal - of or relating to the stomach and the intestines.
  • In the past, the three most common types of bacterial meningitis were caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
    • shaneep110
       
      Neisseria meningitidis, often referred to as meningococcus, is a bacterium that can cause meningitis and other forms of meningococcal disease such as meningococcemia, a life-threatening sepsis. Haemophilus influenzae is a Gram-negative, coccobacillary, facultatively anaerobic bacterium belonging to the Pasteurellaceae family. H. influenzae was first described in 1892 by Richard Pfeiffer during an influenza pandemic. Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is a Gram-positive, alpha-hemolytic, aerotolerant, aerobic member of the genus Streptococcus.
  • Viral meningitis due to enterovirus peaks in mid-summer through early autumn. But it can occur any time of the year.
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • is a very serious and potentially fatal infection.
  • It can strike very healthy people, but infants and older people are more susceptible.
  • Except for the rare case of herpes meningitis, viral meningitis will resolve on its own after 7 to 10 days.
  • Now that we have very effective vaccines to help prevent all three types, bacterial meningitis in otherwise healthy children and adults occurs less often.
  • Besides infants and the elderly, people with chronic diseases and/or impaired immune systems have the greatest risk of meningitis caused by bacteria and fungi.
  • Symptoms
    • shaneep110
       
      These three are common side-effects, so it may not be noticed at first.
  • The symptoms of meningitis vary, but often include:
    • shaneep110
       
      All are common except sensitivity to light, so meningitis is hard to figure out when its happening.
  • Other symptoms may include:
  • Symptoms may be milder in cases of viral meningitis, while in cases of bacterial meningitis, symptoms may come on quite suddenly. In very young children, symptoms may be particularly hard to detect.
  • The fluid is removed from the spinal cord with a needle in a procedure known as a spinal tap or lumbar puncture.
    • shaneep110
       
      Lumbar- back
  • Diagnosis
  • Meningitis is diagnosed by testing some of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord for disease-causing bacteria or infection-fighting cells.
  • Babies with meningitis may be less active, vomit, refuse to eat or be irritable. A person in later stages of bacterial meningitis may have seizures and lose consciousness (pass out).
  • Expected Duration
  • Some people carry the germs in their nose and throat and can pass them on to other people, even though these "carriers" are not sick.
  • Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own in seven to 10 days. In contrast, if bacterial meningitis is not diagnosed and treated early, it can cause permanent disability or death.
  • Prevention
  • he bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are found in bodily fluids, such as saliva and mucus, and are spread by direct contact.
  • The length of time that medication is needed for bacterial meningitis depends on the person's age, response to the medication and other factors.
  • If you are in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, you may be given antibiotics to prevent you from getting the disease.
  • Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia shot), Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis is the best way to prevent bacterial meningitis.
    • shaneep110
       
      Definitions above
  • There is no vaccine to prevent the common types of viral meningitis.
    • shaneep110
       
      Look up research on what's being done about this, perhaps.
  • Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. It requires high dose intravenous antibiotics in a hospital setting. Depending upon the patient and suspected type of bacterial meningitis, intravenous dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, may be given at the time of diagnosis
    • shaneep110
       
      Intravenous - IV Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs that has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. Corticosteroid - any of a group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex or made synthetically. There are two kinds: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. They have various metabolic functions and some are used to treat inflammation.
  • Viral meningitis is treated much like the flu, with rest and plenty of fluids, and you should recover in a week to 10 days.
  • Treatment
  • If you or your child is exhibiting symptoms of meningitis, contact your doctor immediately.
  • For people with viral meningitis, the outlook is excellent.
  • The prognosis for bacterial meningitis depends on the person's age, which bacterium is causing the disease, and how early the disease was diagnosed.
  • Up to 10% of people with this disease will die, and a larger percentage of survivors have long-term consequences, such as hearing loss or neurological problems.
jchase438

Bacterial Meningitis - 0 views

  • nfection of the spinal fluid and of the membranes surrounding the brain (the meninges
  • vaccine was approved for u
  • most common cause of meningitis.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • aemophilus influenzae B
  • S. pneumoniae or N. meningitidis, via direct contact with their respiratory secretions.
  • ymptoms of meningitis are the same regardless of the cause: fever, headache, and stiff neck. As the disease advances, a rash may appear on the infected person, which are spots of dead tissue, destroyed by the invading bacteria.
  • erfectly healthy in the morning
  • and dead by nightfall.
    • jchase438
       
      This article states how the disease is transmitted and how fast and deadly the disease is.
  • tially requires hospitalization so that symptoms can be monitored, and so that large doses of antibiotics can be given intravenously. Prompt, appro
  • ist against all different types of bacterial meningitis. Vaccines against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae B (Hib) are part of the recommended childhood vaccination series.
1 - 8 of 8
Showing 20 items per page