Meningitis
By Ilario
What is Meningitis?
It can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, however fungal meningitis is uncommon.
Transmission
There is no vector and that is the only way it can be spread.
Meningitis is often spread when people are in close contact.
Incidence
Symptoms of Meningitis
Older children and adults first a show stiffness of the neck, and upper back, severe headache, mental confusion. These can be followed by fever, vomiting, skin rash, and convulsions leading to loss of consciousness.
Young children can experience fever, vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea difficult breathing, uncontrolled convulsions, and decreased levels of energy. These symptoms can develop very quickly.
Viral meningitis is very similar to the flu in its symptoms, and often clears up on its own.
How to Treat Meningitis
Prognosis
Around 500 people in the U.S. die each year. There are about 4,100 cases in the U.S each year.
Fast treatment can prevent bacterial meningitis from becoming fatal. Viral meningitis can be treated a if it were the flu. Fungal meningitis must be treated immediately, because like bacterial meningitis it can also become fatal.
Prevention
Current Event
Bibliography
"Meningitis." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2016. Web. 25 Jan. 2016.
Matt Stout, Bob McGovern and Lindsay Kalter. "Execs face life for meningitis outbreak." Boston Herald (MA) 18 Dec. 2014:Newspaper Source. Web. 1 Feb. 2016
."Meningococcal Meningitis." World Health Organization. Nov. 2015. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.
."Meningococcal Meningitis." World Health Organization. Nov. 2015. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.