Meningococcal Meningitis is a rare bacterial infection. Scanning Electron Microscope image of bacterial Meningitis Christine Cheng, University of Oklahoma Meningitis at 10x magnification MicroscopyU.com
Swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, also known as the meninges (membrane). Diagram showing the swelling of the meninges ehealthmd.com Diagram showing the anatomy of a normal brain and spine and that of one infected with bacteria meningitis University of California
Bacterial Meningitis: Trasmission. Symptoms and Treatments Published Nov 18 th, 2014, Vuty VENN
The bacteria in the body, may cause infection in a certain part of the body, skin, gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory tract. For reasons unknown, the bacteria might spread throughout the body and into the bloodstream to the nervous system. How the meningococcal bacteria can spread in the body U. R. Goonetilleke, S. A. Ward, S. B. Gordon
Symptoms Include: Severe headache Stiff neck Cold hands and feet Confusion Seizures High fever Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity of eyes to the light Rash
Students who were survivors of meningococcal meningitis discuss their symptoms and tell their stories of their experience with the disease Ohio University, uploaded Feb 14 th 2011
Treatment may include antibiotics such as penicillin or ceftriaxone. Antibiotic treatment should reduce the risk of death, but if left untreated for too long then antibiotics may not help. Sometimes the infection can cause life long damage.
Without treatment 10-15 out of 100 people infected with the disease will die. Approximately 11 19 out of 100 survivors will suffer with major disabilities such as, loss of limb(s), deafness, nervous symptom problems, or brain damage.
Vaccinations do not work for bacterial meningitis. Meningitis can be caused by viral and fungal infections, vaccines do work for viral meningitis and are available. Even for viral meningitis in the patient who has been vaccinated, there is still a slight chance that the patient could still be affected. Bacterial meningitis is very contagious and the best way for prevention is handwashing Handwashing is important in prevention health.alot.com
Mortality rate 10%-15%, up to 40% www.cbcnews.com
Since meningococcal meningitis is bacterial, anyone can become infected. Those with a weaker immune system has a higher risk of being infected as well as infants and children. The bacteria is transmitted through close contact, such as kissing, sharing utensils, coughing or sneezing on someone or even sharing the same air in the same room. www.wisegeekhealth.com
Meningitis can spread through, kissing, drinking out of the same bottle, sharing instruments, and living together breathing the same oxygen. They would be considered at high risk of getting the disease. The person who is exposed to the disease, must get checked out asap to get antibiotics from their doctor.
If the patient receives meningococcal disease more than once, it is possible that the patient has an immune deficiency and should see a doctor. A child receives a follow up appointment from a physician cbc.ca
Membrane covering the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Reddish/purple skin rash. Only babies get this, bulging of the soft spot.
Loss of balance Loss or change in sight Paralysis in some part of the body Picture showing partial facial paralysis
Deafness/hearing problems Coordination problems Memory loss Epilepsy Child with hearing loss from meningococcal meningitis with a cochlear implant meningitisnow.org
Amputation of limbs (may include loss of nose)
We both think that meningococcal is a disease that everyone should be aware of because it can affect anyone. What was most challenging was missing the two library days because of the university tour and we only had the weekend to do it, the PowerPoint was also on the school computer and we only had two and a half hours to finish it We both really enjoyed learning more about this disease and becoming more self-aware.
A nurse recounts her meningitis infection (which she misdiagnosed as a unrinary tract infection), and discusses some of her struggles with recovery Struggles of a Bacterial Meningitis Survivor, Kababayan Today, September 5 th 2013
www.microscopyu.com, human pathology digital image gallery www.microwiki.kenyon.edu, University of Oklahoma, Christine Cheng www.meningitis.org, Meningitis Research Foundation www.soc.ucsb.edu, sex info online, University of California www.ehealthmd.com meningitis information UR Gonnetilleke, SA Ward, SB Gordom, Could Proteomic Research Decline the next generation of treatments for Pneumococcal Meningitis, Interdisciplinary perspectives on infectious diseases volume 2009, article id 214216 www.webmd.com, meningitis