Meningits

18 Pages 4389 Words

What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the tissues (meninges) and sometimes the fluid (cerebral spinal fluid, or CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord results in swelling of the brain tissue and in some cases the spinal tissue. When brain tissue swells, less blood and oxygen reach brain cells. The infection occurs most often in infants, young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, older adults, and people who have a long-standing health condition, such as a weakened immune system. Meningitis can range from mild to life threatening. The severity usually depends on the organism causing the infection and a person's age and overall health.
What causes meningitis?
Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis (also called meningococcus) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). In rare cases, fungi, parasites, tuberculosis, or the organisms that cause syphilis and Lyme disease can cause meningitis. The infection also can develop as a complication of another illness, an injury, or brain surgery. On very rare occasions, some medications can cause meningitis, including carbamazepine (Tegretol), co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, TMP-SMX), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen), levamisole (Ergamisol), metronidazole (Flagyl), immune globulin, and the mumps and rubella vaccines. Sometimes the cause is not identified.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Meningitis causes fever, a severe and persistent headache, and a stiff and painful neck, especially when a person tries to touch the chin to the chest. Other symptoms that may develop include:
· Vomiting.
· Confusion and decreased level of consciousness.
· Seizures.
· Sluggishness, muscle aches and weakness, and strange feelings (such as tingling) or weakness throughout the body.
· Eye sensitivity and eye pain from bright lights.
· Skin rash.
· Dizzy spells.
Unusual symptoms of meningi...