Jul 14, 2008 3:39 pm US/Central
Meningitis Information, Symptoms, Prevention
Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord fluid that surrounds and protects the brain. The infection attacks the meninges or protective tissues around the brain.
Meningitis can be caused by a number of infectious organisms. The seriousness of the illness depends upon what organism triggered it, which is why doctors always do a spinal tap when they suspect meningitis, to determine the causative organism.
Viral meningitis makes people very sick, but it's self-limiting and patients usually recover fully within 7 to 10 days with no lingering effects, officials say.
It is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito during spring and summer months when mosquito activity is high, but it can also be spread by person-to-person contact.
Experts call bacterial meningitis a medical emergency because it makes a person so ill so very quickly, unconsciousness can also occur within a matter of hours, even with prompt medical attention. It can lead to death within 24 hours of the first symptom.
Research shows 15 to 20 percent of all bacterial meningitis patients die, which doctors call a very high death rate.
Another 40 to 50 percent experience some sort of serious permanent side effect like brain damage, learning disabilities, blindness, deafness or even loss of limbs.
A vaccine that prevents bacterial meningitis is said to be 80 to 90 percent effective. The vaccine costs about $80-$$200, depending upon where patients get it.
Meningitis symptoms take up to two days to develop. If you have any questions you should call your doctor.
Viral Meningitis Symptoms
Fever
Headache
Stiff Neck
Fatigue
Patients may also experience rash, sore throat or vomiting.
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
Bacterial Meningitis Symptoms
Fever
Headache
Stiff Neck
Fatigue
Patients may also experience rash, sore throat or vomiting.
The patient also develops a full body rash that is reddish-purple and does not itch.
They may also be confused or have seizures due to swelling of the brain and violent episodes of vomiting as the infection takes hold and spreads.
Generally, they are much sicker than patients infected with viral meningitis. Medical personnel say the headache is so intense that it's said to be almost unbearable.
A patient with symptoms of bacterial meningitis must be taken to an emergency room immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The CDC recommends the vaccine for students when they enter high school and college because bacterial meningitis is highly contagious. People ages 15 to 24 have some of the highest mortality rates.
The infection rate is particularly high in college dormitories because of close living quarters and poor hygienic practices such as sharing cigarettes, food and drinks, and infrequent hand washing, officials say.
Survivors can suffer mental disabilities, hearing loss and paralysis.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Dallas Man Killed Overnight By Irving Police 55 mins ago 
Stumble It!
