Meningitis

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Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Genome sequencing provides unprecedented insight into causes of pneumococcal disease

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Genetics created May 05, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Canada, Uganda test drug to treat brain disease

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Medications created May 01, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Pfizer Q1 profit up, but drugmaker cuts outlook

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Other created Apr 30, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers make significant step forward in combating antibiotic resistance

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Medical research created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

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Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 23, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

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Medications created Apr 23, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Analysing meningitis genes to identify new treatments

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Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 19, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Calif. man diagnosed with meningitis is brain dead

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Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 13, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

FDA cites sanitary issues at specialty pharmacies

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Health created Apr 12, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Combo therapy helps knock out fungal meningitis

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Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Mass. pharmacy recalling some compounded products

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Medications created Mar 25, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

US warns of mold in recalled specialty drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors and hospital managers Monday about a nationwide recall of all drugs made by a New Jersey compounding pharmacy because of possible mold contamination.

Medications created Mar 18, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Brain stent offers alternative to shunt for fixing potentially blinding vein narrowing

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Ophthalmology created Mar 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli increasing among older adults and residents of nursing homes

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) continues to proliferate, driven largely by expansion of a strain of E. coli know as sequence type ST131. A new study points to hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTC ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Mar 12, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0


Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore the condition is classified as a medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia). Sometimes, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present, such as irritability and drowsiness. If a rash is present, it may indicate a particular cause of meningitis; for instance, meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash.

A lumbar puncture may be used to diagnose or exclude meningitis. This involves inserting a needle into the spinal canal to extract a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that envelops the brain and spinal cord. The CSF is then examined in a medical laboratory. The usual treatment for meningitis is the prompt application of antibiotics and sometimes antiviral drugs. In some situations, corticosteroid drugs can also be used to prevent complications from overactive inflammation. Meningitis can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and cognitive deficits, especially if not treated quickly. Some forms of meningitis (such as those associated with meningococci, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococci or mumps virus infections) may be prevented by immunization.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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