The causes of meningitis and meningococcal disease

Article Abstract:

Viral and bacterial meningitis have very different causes, symptoms and treatment. Symptoms of viral meningitis include a sudden fever, stiffness in the neck, headache and photophobia. Viral meningitis is normally self-limiting, leading to a full recovery. Treatment if based on making the patient comfortable and easing symptoms. Bacterial meningitis is much more serious, with a mortality rate of 3-6%. It can also cause brain damage or deafness. Treatment includes giving antibiotics as soon as possible, and maintaining a correct electrolyte and fluid balance.

---

The aftermath

Article Abstract:

The UK National Meningitis Trust is seeking to improve awareness of the disease and possible after-effects which occur in up to one out of seven people who become infected by either viral or bacteria meningitis. Damage to the brain, caused by infection, may result in several disturbing symptoms, such as personality changes, epilepsy, difficulty with balance or learning difficulties. A 24-hour helpline is available via the National Meningitis Trust, manned by nurses who offer advice to family and sufferers of the disease.

Health aspects, Meningococcal infections

---

Containment areas

Article Abstract:

Community infection control nurses have a key role to play when an outbreak of meningococcal infection is confirmed. These nurses must ensure that GPs and community nurses are kept fully informed and must communicate with the media and with the general public. Health care professionals must take care to handle any outbreak of meningitis extremely sensitively, as many people have a considerable fear of meningitis. It may be necessary to set up a helpline to deal with the fears of the local community.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Effects of pregnancy and delivery on disease activity in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis: The plaque and its pathogenesis
• Abstracts: Supervision registers and mental health problems. Insomnia and mental health. Meeting needs through case management
• Abstracts: The high prevalence of genital herpes among patients with genital ulcer disease in Uganda. A risk index for sexually transmitted diseases
• Abstracts: Medical informatics and pediatrics: decision-support systems. The use of an objective structured clinical examination with postgraduate residents in pediatrics
• Abstracts: The social context of syphilis persistence in the Southeastern United States. Contact tracing's price is not its value

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.