Ready reference of MENINGITIS

[CilmiSabca]

MENINGITIS
(inflammation of the membranes around the brain and/or the spinal cord).
SEASON: Varies with causative organism: for Hib, winter.
SUSCEPTIBILITY: Depends on causative organism: for Hib, greatest for infants and young children.
SYMTOMS: Fever; high-pitched cry; drowsiness; irritability; loss of appetite; vomiting; bulging fontanel. In older children, also: stiff neck; sensitivity to light; blurred vision and other signs of neurological ills.
CAUSE: Most often, bacteria, such as Hib; also viruses, which cause less serious disease.
TRANSMISSION: Depends on organism.
INCUBATION: Varies with organism; for Hib, probably less than 10 days.
DURATION: Varies.
CALL THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you suspect MENINGITIS, or go to the ER if doctor can't be reached.
TREATMENT: For viral meningitis, symptomatic; for bacterial, hospitalization required; antibiotics plus other drugs, possibly glycerol.
DIET: Extra fluids for fever.
PREVENTION: Hib immunization for Hib infections; stringent health-care rules in day-care centers.
RECURRENCE: None with Hib; one attack confers immunity.
COMPLICATIONS: Hib and other bacterial forms can do lasting neurological damage, and can be fatal; viral forms usually do no long-term damage.
NB: ask your doctor before it's too late. Thank you all.ELY if you suspect MENINGITIS, or go to the ER if doctor can't be reached.
TREATMENT: For viral meningitis, symptomatic; for bacterial, hospitalization required; antibiotics plus other drugs, possibly glycerol.
DIET: Extra fluids for fever.
PREVENTION: Hib immunization for Hib infections; stringent health-care rules in day-care centers.
RECURRENCE: None with Hib; one attack confers immunity.
COMPLICATIONS: Hib and other bacterial forms can do lasting neurological damage, and can be fatal; viral forms usually do no long-term damage.
NB: ask your doctor before it's too late. Thank you all.

[AimeePitt]

Amoebic meningitis is a very serious illness.The amoeba can be picked up through the nose when a person puts their head under water in a geothermal pool.It is caused by a tiny organism called an amoeba which can live in geothermal pools.Geothermal water can be found in natural outdoor pools, and in commercial pools some geothermal pools can be found in homes also.