Meningitis the contagious, fatal infection of the brain membrane
Jan 11, 2009
DR. William Mbabazi, the in-charge of integrated disease surveillance and response at the World Health Organisation, defines the disease as the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system.
DR. William Mbabazi, the in-charge of integrated disease surveillance and response at the World Health Organisation, defines the disease as the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system.
It presents in nine forms. Some forms are mild and resolve on their own, while others are fatal.
Nevertheless, meningitis is a potentially serious condition owing to the proximity of the inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death, leave alone long-term impacts such as brain damage and deafness, which affect many survivors.
A website, www.doctorswithoutborders.org, reveals that Meningococcal meningitis is a contagious and potentially fatal infection of the brain membrane. It is caused by various strains, or serogroups of the Neisseria Meningitidis Bacterium.
The site adds that strains A, B, C, Y and W135 are the most common.
Infected people often carry the disease without showing symptoms, spreading the bacteria to others through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions, close contact and when they cough or sneeze close and prolonged contact, especially through kissing, sneezing and coughing, living in close proximity and sharing food utensils, aid the spread.
The disease is one of the most feared epidemics in Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and costs.
“Even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate therapy instituted, 5-10% of patients die, within 24—48 hours of onset of symptoms,†the site reveals.
“Bacterial meningitis may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability in 10-20% of survivors.
The average incubation period for meningitis is four days, ranging between two and 10 days.
Symptoms
Babies and toddlers:
Fever, cold limbs, refusing to eat, vomiting, agitation, pale, blotchy skin, blank expression, drowsy, difficulty in waking up, stiff neck, backache and high-pitched crying.
Children and adults:
Vomiting, fever, cold limbs,
headache, stiff neck and joints, muscle pain, dislike for bright lights and noise, drowsiness, confusion or delirium.
It presents in nine forms. Some forms are mild and resolve on their own, while others are fatal.
Nevertheless, meningitis is a potentially serious condition owing to the proximity of the inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death, leave alone long-term impacts such as brain damage and deafness, which affect many survivors.
A website, www.doctorswithoutborders.org, reveals that Meningococcal meningitis is a contagious and potentially fatal infection of the brain membrane. It is caused by various strains, or serogroups of the Neisseria Meningitidis Bacterium.
The site adds that strains A, B, C, Y and W135 are the most common.
Infected people often carry the disease without showing symptoms, spreading the bacteria to others through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions, close contact and when they cough or sneeze close and prolonged contact, especially through kissing, sneezing and coughing, living in close proximity and sharing food utensils, aid the spread.
The disease is one of the most feared epidemics in Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and costs.
“Even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate therapy instituted, 5-10% of patients die, within 24—48 hours of onset of symptoms,†the site reveals.
“Bacterial meningitis may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability in 10-20% of survivors.
The average incubation period for meningitis is four days, ranging between two and 10 days.
Symptoms
Babies and toddlers:
Fever, cold limbs, refusing to eat, vomiting, agitation, pale, blotchy skin, blank expression, drowsy, difficulty in waking up, stiff neck, backache and high-pitched crying.
Children and adults:
Vomiting, fever, cold limbs,
headache, stiff neck and joints, muscle pain, dislike for bright lights and noise, drowsiness, confusion or delirium.