Asked by doodle bob
Write 10 Facts about Meningitis
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1. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges — the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
2. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or non-infectious causes (e.g., medications, autoimmune disease).
3. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and can be rapidly life‑threatening; viral meningitis is often milder and frequently self‑limited.
4. Common pathogens include Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), enteroviruses, and Cryptococcus in immunocompromised patients.
5. Typical symptoms are fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia and altered mental status; infants may show irritability, poor feeding, vomiting or a bulging fontanelle.
6. Diagnosis relies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis obtained by lumbar puncture; CT or MRI may be done first if raised intracranial pressure or focal neurologic signs are suspected.
7. Bacterial meningitis requires immediate empiric intravenous antibiotics (and sometimes corticosteroids); viral meningitis is usually treated supportively, and fungal meningitis is treated with specific antifungals.
8. Effective vaccines (meningococcal, pneumococcal and Hib) substantially reduce the risk of several types of meningitis.
9. Some forms (notably meningococcal) spread by respiratory droplets; close contacts of cases may be offered antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent secondary infections.
10. Complications can include hearing loss, seizures, cognitive impairment, limb loss and death; prompt recognition and treatment greatly improve outcomes.
2. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or non-infectious causes (e.g., medications, autoimmune disease).
3. Bacterial meningitis is usually more severe and can be rapidly life‑threatening; viral meningitis is often milder and frequently self‑limited.
4. Common pathogens include Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), enteroviruses, and Cryptococcus in immunocompromised patients.
5. Typical symptoms are fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia and altered mental status; infants may show irritability, poor feeding, vomiting or a bulging fontanelle.
6. Diagnosis relies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis obtained by lumbar puncture; CT or MRI may be done first if raised intracranial pressure or focal neurologic signs are suspected.
7. Bacterial meningitis requires immediate empiric intravenous antibiotics (and sometimes corticosteroids); viral meningitis is usually treated supportively, and fungal meningitis is treated with specific antifungals.
8. Effective vaccines (meningococcal, pneumococcal and Hib) substantially reduce the risk of several types of meningitis.
9. Some forms (notably meningococcal) spread by respiratory droplets; close contacts of cases may be offered antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent secondary infections.
10. Complications can include hearing loss, seizures, cognitive impairment, limb loss and death; prompt recognition and treatment greatly improve outcomes.
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