Spinal Meningitis
By: Gabriella Schei and Kennedy Parker
What is Spinal Meningitis?
Spinal Meningitis is an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Once infection starts, it can spread rapidly through the body. Without treatment it can cause brain damage in a matter of hours and can be fatal within 24 hours.
Descripition of this Pathogen?
Neisseria Meningitides is a pathogen that is known for a role in endemic bacterial meningitis. It is also a gram-negative diplococci.
How it Attacks and Spreads?
Neisseria Meningitidis bacteria are spread through spit, by living close to someone, or kissing. This bacteria is not spread through everyday contact. Be careful of your boyfriend/girlfriend if they have this bacteria...
Most Common Victims?
The most common victims of Spinal meningitis, are young people aged 1-30. Men are more likely than women to obtain this disease.
Most Common Injury (Symptoms)?
A list of symptoms are below:
- Deafness
- Inflammation of the brain
- Sensitivity to light
- Sleep deprivation
- Little Appetite
- Blood Poisoning
- Risk of losing limbs
- Bruised Looking
- Fontanel bulges
- Aches
- Severe Headaches
- Loss of balance
- Roller-coaster of emotions
- Decreasing Blood Pressure Levels
- Blotches on the skin
- Permanent Scarring
- Tight neck
- Joint Pains
Where does it attack?
This disease attacks mainly the brain and spinal cord. Mainly, the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Armed and Dangerous? Degree of Damage?
This disease CAN kill you... This disease can permanently disable you. On a scale of one to ten, we would rate Spinal Meningitis as an 8.5. It can do damage to your brain and spinal cord, the control centers of your body...
Number of Victims?
According to a scientific study, (1991–2010), close to one million suspected meningitis cases were reported among countries of the African Meningitis Belt.
Number of Deaths or Cases per Year?
Approximately 100, 000 deaths. 80, 000 of these cases, including over 4,000 deaths, occurred in 2009 alone.
Bibliography?
"Spinal Meningitis - Cedars-Sinai." Spinal Meningitis - Cedars-Sinai. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
"Causes & Transmission." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 01 June 2015.
"Neisseria Meningitidis." Neisseria Meningitidis. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
"Effects of Meningitis on the Body." Healthline. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
"Meningitis." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Nicole A. Green. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Apr. 2013. Web. 01 June 2015.
"Meningitis and Hearing Loss." - Infections Cause Hearing Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.
How Would You Rate Spinal Meningitis?
Here is a cool poll for you to take!