Thursday, August 19, 2010

Meningitis-a disease which can KILL in hours



Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membrane or the membranes covering the brain and nervous . Meningitis can be caused by various organisms such as viruses, bacteria or fungi that spread into the blood and migrate into the brain fluid.

Patients suspected of having meningitis should be an accurate examination, both were caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. This is necessary for the specification of treatment, because each will receive therapy according to the cause.

Causes of Meningitis Disease

Meningitis caused by viruses are generally not dangerous, will recover without specific treatment and care. However Meningitis caused by bacteria can cause serious conditions such as brain damage, hearing loss, lack of learning ability, can even cause death. Meningitis is caused by the fungus, while very rare, this type commonly suffered by people with damaged immune (immune system) as in patients with AIDS.

Bacteria that can cause an attack of meningitis include:
1. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).
This is the most common bacterial cause of meningitis in infants or children. This type of bacteria that can cause infection pneumonia, ear and nasal cavity (sinus).

2. Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus).
This bacterium is the cause of the second largest after Streptococcus pneumoniae, meningitis due to infection of the upper respiratory tract and then the bacteria enter the bloodstream.

3. Haemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus).
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis. This strain as the cause upper respiratory infections, middle ear and sinusitis. Vaccine (Hib vaccine) has shown a decrease in the number of meningitis cases caused by bacteria of this type.

4. Listeria monocytogenes (listeria).
This is one type of bacteria that can cause meningitis. This bacterium can be found in many places, in the dust and in contaminated food. These foods are usually the type of cheese, hot dogs and beef sandwiches where the bacteria comes from the local animals (pets).

5. Other bacteria can also cause meningitis are Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis Disease

Typical and general symptoms displayed by patients over the age of two years of meningitis are fever, headache and neck muscle stiffness that lasted for hours or be felt up to two days. Other signs and symptoms are photophobia (fear / avoid bright beam of light), phonophobia (fear / disturbed by loud noises), nausea, vomiting, often looking confused, difficulty to wake up from sleep, even unconscious.

In infants the symptoms and signs of meningitis disease may be very difficult to know, but generally the baby will look weak and quiet (inactive), tremor, vomiting and was reluctant to breastfeed.

Treatment of Disease Meningitis

If there are signs and symptoms as above, then the patient was taken to the hospital immediately to get the health service intensive. Physical examination, inspection labs include blood tests (elektrolite, liver and kidney functions, as well as complete blood), and X-ray examination (x-rays) will help the team pulmonary physician in diagnosing disease. While the examination is very important if the patient has suspected meningitis Lumbar puncture is the examination (examination of the fluid lining of the brain).

If on examination the patient was diagnosed as meningitis, then an infusion of antibiotic (intravenous) is a good step to ensure recovery and reduce or avoid the risk of complications.Antibiotics are given to patients depending on the type of bacteria found.

The few antibiotics that are often prescribed by doctors in cases of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis among others Cephalosporin (ceftriaxone or cefotaxime). While bacterial meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes will be given Ampicillin, Vancomycin and Carbapenem (meropenem), chloramphenicol or Ceftriaxone.

Treatment or other therapy that leads to symptoms such as headaches and fever (paracetamol), shock and convulsions (diazepam) and others.

Prevention of transmission of disease Meningitis

Meningitis caused by viruses can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing eating a spoon, use a toothbrush with and smoking alternately in one trunk. So for those of you who know your colleague or around there that experienced this type of meningitis must be careful. Mancuci clean hands before eating and after ketoilet general, holding pets. Maintain your stamina (endurance), body with nutritious eating and regular exercise is very good to avoid various diseases.

Granting Vaccine Immunization (vaccine) Meningitis is an appropriate action on the area which is known primarily susceptible to meningitis outbreaks, as for the vaccine that has been known as a precaution against meningitis, among others;
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)



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