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Bacterial meningitis |
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Bacterial meningitis is a medical condition, in which the meninges inflammation resulted from bacteria, occurs. Three bacteria species account for about 80% or more of all meningitis cases such as streptococcus pneumonia, hemophilus influenza, and Neisseria meningitis. All of these species are usually presenting in the external environment and can even reside in an individual’s respiratory system and nose without producing damage. Sometimes, such bacteria infects the person’s brain without identifiable reason. In other situation, infection is caused by immune system abnormalities or head injury. Individuals at high risk of progressing meningitis from any of these 3 bacteria are people with chronic nose and ear infections, sickle cell disease, individuals abusing alcohol, those who have spleen removed, or pneumococcal pneumonia. In rare cases, bacterial meningitis may be caused by organisms such as Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. Infections with such bacteria are mostly caused by head injury, spinal cord or brain surgery, infections acquired in hospital, in individuals with impaired immune system, and caused by widespread infections. Individuals using corticosteroids or have kidney failure are at higher risk of getting bacterial meningitis from listeria organism. Bacterial meningitis are most common in infants between the ages of one month and two years. The symptoms of bacterial meningitis at early stages usually include headache, fever, vomiting, sore throat, and stiff neck. Adults and older children may become significantly drowsy, confused, and irritable. They may develop stupor, coma, and then death. Bacterial meningitis causing brain tissue swelling hampers flow of blood, resulting symptoms of stroke, including paralysis. Some individuals with bacterial meningitis progress seizures. Because bacterial meningitis may cause death within hours, pomprt medical attention is required. An unknown cause of fever in a child up to two years of age requires prompt, complete examination by a pediatric. If a physician suspects bacterial meningitis, a child usually is given an antibiotic. If a doctor suggests meningitis, he or she must immediately confirm if it is viral, fungal, bacterial, or other form of infection, because treatment is different for each type of meningitis. The test, called lumbar puncture (spinal tap) usually helps diagnose the type and cause of meningitis. An increase, in protein type and number of white blood cells, and sugar levels in the fluid also helps define the meningitis form. The bacterial meningitis treatment consists of giving prompt antibiotics and corticosteroids intravenously to decrease inflammation. A doctor can use 1 or more antibiotics to cover the most likely bacteria, which can be resulted in inflammation. Once the certain bacterium is found (one or two days later), the antibiotic can be changed to 1 that best treats the infection. Treatment also consists of replacing fluid the individual has lost due to sweating, fever, poor appetite, and vomiting. A physician also watches for complications that can be caused by brain infection. Bacterial meningitis may cause extremely low blood pressure, and the individual requires additional medications or fluids to keep this condition under control. A vaccine may help prevent getting meningitis resulted from Neisseria meningitides. Such vaccines are used usually in closed population, epidemics, and with individuals who repeatedly are exposed to organisms (bacteria). All children must routinely be immunized by a vaccine called hemophilis influenzae type B, which helps prevent the major form of meningitis in children.
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| Category |
Disease Conditions > B
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| Related Searches |
bacterial meningitis symptoms, bacterial meningitis and recovery |
| Date Submitted |
30-Nov-2005
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