2. WHAT IS SPINAL
MENINGITIS?
Spinal Meningitis is an
infection of the fluid
and membranes around
the brain and spinal
cord and can spread
very rapidly.
3. ~HISTORY~
Spinal Meningitis first was identified in 1805 in
Geneva, Switzerland, in an epidemic outbreak
that killed 33 people! More outbreaks were
recorded in Europe and the United States
through the early 1800’s, and a well documented
epidemic hit Cleveland in 1864.
4. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF
YOU HAVE IT?
If you have think you might have Spinal
Meningitis you might experience things like;
•Fever and chills
•Severe headaches
•Nausea and vomiting
•Stiffness in your neck(which is meningismus)
•Sensitivity to light (or photophobia)
•Mental Status changes
•Additional symptoms would some from swelling that results can
harm or destroy nerve cells and cause bleeding in the brain, you
would experience high fever, stiffness in your neck, headache, and
nausea.
5. WHAT CAN THEY DO
ABOUT IT?
Treatment they can give you is limited. It includes emergency
treatment in a hospital, with intravenous or oral antibiotics with bed
rest.
Medication can be prescribed for bacterial but will vary depending on
where you are being infected. Antibiotics are not effective in viral.
They will most likely be prescribed to prevent secondary infections
and to reduce swelling to the spine.
They can not cure it, it is like any normal virus it has to run its course;
But without treatment it can cause brain damage in a matter of hours
and can be fatal within 24 hours.
6. WHAT ARE EFFECTS IT
CAN CAUSE?
Long-term neurological side effects affect the nervous
system and brain.
In bacterial meningitis, these can include seizures,
permanent brain damage, permanent nerve damage,
blindness, hearing or speech loss, learning problems and
paralysis.
The longer treatment is delayed, the higher the risk of
severe long term side effects.
Non-neurological long-term side effects of bacterial
meningitis can include loss of limbs, kidney failure, renal
failure, and other failure and shock.
7. CAN I PREVENT IT?
HOW?!
Yes, you can prevent it, but to an extent.
If you are in close contact with someone who got it, when they are
diagnosed they will be asked who they were in close contact with and if
your person was or is you will be prescribed antibiotics for a couple
days, just in case you were infected with the bacteria too. The
medication can help to prevent you from developing the Meningitis but it
will not prevent the the virus that causes Meningitis. If you have had all
your vaccinations, they will also help prevent you from getting
Meningitis. Other ways to prevent it without vaccines are: Washing your
hands regularly like you would to prevent many sickness’s, with warm
soapy water. In this case especially before eating, after using the
bathroom, and whenever your hands are dirty or feel dirty. Other regular
health precautions like when you cough or sneeze, do this into your
elbow, or a tissue, and of course watch your hands if you do.
8. FOR MORE
INFORMATION... (citations)
"What is spinal meningitis?." Spinal Meningitis. N.p., 2005-2010. Web. 18 Mar 2011. <http://spinalmeningitis.org/>.
"Spinal Meningitis." Spinal Meningitis. N.p., 2006-2011. Web. 18 Mar 2011. <http://nervous-system.emedtv.com/spinal-meningitis/spinal-meningitis.html>.
"Spinal Meningitis." Cedars Sinai. Cedars-Senai, 2011. Web. 21 Mar 2011. <http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Spinal-Meningitis.aspx>.
"Where did Spinal Meningitis first emerge?." Ehow Health. Demand Media Inc. , 1999-2011. Web. 21 Mar 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5851640_did-spinal-meningitis-first-emerge_.html>.
"Long Term Effec of Bacterial Spinal Meningitis." Ehow Health. Demand Media Inc., 1999-2011. Web. 21 Mar 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5661938_long_term-effect-bacterial-spinal-meningitis.html>.
"Can Meningitis be prevented?." Kids Health. The Nemours Foundation, 1995-2011. Web. 22 Mar 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/meningitis.html#>.
"Meningitis." Spinal Meningitis. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.meningitis101.com/Spinal-Meningitis.html>.
"Spinal Meningitis." Findlaw. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://findlaw.doereport.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=3699&ExhibitKeywordsRaw=&TL=&A=42409>.
"Spinal Meningitis." Art Miller. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://artmiller.medicalillustration.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=7144&TC=&A=62338>.
"book." passionshades. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.uiwp.uiuc.edu/porfolio_2008/erin_ludwick/index.html>.
"Geneva, Switzerland." Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/54823/Geneva-Switzerland>.
"Fever." Discovry Health. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-fevers.htm>.
"Headache." Any Solutions. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://givesolutions.blogspot.com/2010/11/solution-how-cure-headache-without.html>.
"Lightbulb." Reiki Centre Singapore. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.reikicentre.com.sg/category/blog/byron-katie/>.
"Hospital Bed." Hosptial Bed. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.feather-bed.net/2011/02/16/hospital-bed-2/>.
"Medication." Allergic Reactions. Web. 25 Mar 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19329.htm>.
