The vaccine also might be recommended for kids

between 6 weeks and 10 years old who have certain highrisk medical problems, and for people traveling to
countries where meningitis is more common.
Many of the bacteria and viruses responsible for
meningitis are fairly common, so good hygiene is an
important way to prevent infection. Encourage kids to
wash their hands thoroughly and often, particularly before
eating and after using the bathroom. Avoiding close
contact with someone who is obviously ill and not sharing
food, drinks, or eating utensils can help halt the spread of
germs as well.

Who are at risk?

Meningitis can strike at any age; however,
certain groups have a greater risk for contracting the
disease:

Possible to prevent,

In certain cases, doctors may give antibiotics to

anyone who has been in close contact with a person who
has bacterial meningitis to help prevent additional
infections.

treatment
Because bacterial meningitis can be so serious, if
you think that your child has any form of meningitis, it's
important to see the doctor right away.
If meningitis is suspected, the doctor will order
laboratory tests to help make the diagnosis, probably
including a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to collect a
sample of spinal fluid. This test will show any signs of
inflammation and whether a virus or bacteria is causing
the infection.
Someone with viral meningitis may be
hospitalized, although some kids are allowed to recover
at home if they are not too ill. Treatment aimed at
relieving symptoms includes rest, fluids, and over-thecounter pain medication.
If bacterial meningitis is diagnosed - or even
suspected - doctors will start intravenous (IV) antibiotics
as soon as possible. Fluids may be given to replace those
lost to fever, sweating, vomiting, and poor appetite.

Meningitis

Dangerous
resources
-https://www.pc.pitt.edu/
downloads/publications/meningitis
-brochure.pdf
-http://www.eiu.edu/herc/
downloads/MeningitisBrochure.pdf
-http://
mening2public.powercreations.com.au/images/
mening2-48--ooghu.pdf
-http://
www.healthcommunities.com/
meningitis/types.shtml
-http://kidshealth.org/parent/
infections/lung/meningitis.html#

Project in tle
Submitted by: Justine Melly P. Jetigan
IV-SVP

to ignore

What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining
surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be
caused by several different organisms like bacteria
and viruses.

Types of meningitis:

Viral meningitis
also called aseptic meningitis, is the most
common type. It is rarely fatal and usually resolves with
treatment. Meningitis develops in fewer than 1 in 1000
people who are infected with one of the viruses associated
with the condition.

How meningitis spread?

Signs and symptoms

Most cases of meningitis start with a fever, a
severe headache and neck stiffness, followed by
vomiting and altered consciousness excessive irritability
or drowsiness. A spotty unblanching red/ purple rash
sometimes occurs, most commonly with meningococcal
meningitis and is an important sign that the patient must
see a doctor urgently. Sometimes the rash may appear
without specific symptoms of meningitis this occurs
when there is infection of the blood (septicaemia), and
the predominant symptoms may include fever, chills,

is often severe and is considered a potential medical

emergency. If left untreated, bacterial meningitis may be fatal
or cause serious long-term complications. Because bacterial
meningitis can progress rapidly, it is important to identify the
bacteria and begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible.

Fungal meningitis

Parasitic meningitis
is more common in underdeveloped countries and
usually is caused by parasites found in contaminated water,
food, and soil.

Noninfectious meningitis
may develop as a complication of another illness
(e.g., mumps, tuberculosis, syphilis). A break in the skin and/
or bones in the face or skull (caused by birth defect, brain
surgery, head injury) can allow bacteria to enter the body.

Sharing food, drinking glasses, eating utensils,

tissues, or towels all can transmit infection as well. Some
infectious organisms can spread through a person's stool
(poop), and someone who comes in contact with the
stool such as kids in daycare may develop the
infection.
Infections most often spread between people
who are in close contact, such as those who live
together or people who are exposed by kissing or
sharing eating utensils. Casual contact at school or work
with someone who has one of these infections usually
will not transmit the infectious agent.

Bacterial meningitis

develops in patients with conditions that

compromise the effectiveness of their immune systems (e.g.,
HIV/AIDS, lupus, diabetes). Fungal meningitis occurs in 10%
of patients with AIDS. Crytococcus neoformans and Candida
albicans are commonly involved in fungal meningitis.

Most cases of meningitis both viral and

bacterial are due to infections that are contagious,
spread via tiny drops of fluid from the throat and nose of
someone who is infected. The drops may become
airborne when the person coughs, laughs, talks, or
sneezes. They then can infect others when people
breathe them in or touch the drops and then touch their
own noses or mouths.

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prevention
s:
Routine immunization can go a long way toward
preventing meningitis. The vaccines against Hib, measles,
mumps, polio, meningococcus, and pneumococcus can
protect against meningitis caused by these
microorganisms.
Doctors now recommend that kids get
vaccinated for meningococcal disease when they're 11
years old, with a booster shot at age 16. Kids who have
not been vaccinated and are older than 11 also should be
immunized, particularly if they're going to college,
boarding school, camp, or other settings where they'll
live in close quarters with others.