Hello guys, I want to educate us on a topic we have been hearing about, but might not know much about. I am sure quite a number of us might have heard the word but might not know what it means. Meningitis is that word, a disease word actually, popular by name yet unpopular in meaning to some. I want to enlighten us on the topic.

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It is not going to be a long post; it is one of the few diseases I have been researching on lately. Am going to go straight and give you all you need to know. Please stay with me.

→→→→ WHAT IS MENINGITIS

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (the covering of the brain and spinal cord). It is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of the meninges--- the layers of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord. These layers consist of the following:

# Dura - A tough outer membrane. 
# Arachnoid - A lacy, weblike middle  membrane.
# Pia- A delicate impermeable membrane that firmly adheres to the surface of the brain 

Subarachnoid space - A delicate, fibrous inner layer that contains many of the blood vessels that feed the brain and spinal cord

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→→→→ CAUSES OF MENINGITIS

BACTERIA

VIRUS

FUNGI

→→→→ HOW MENINGITIS OCCURS

I mentioned earlier that the meninges comprise three membranes that, together with the cerebrospinal fluid, enclose and protect the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system).

In meningitis, bacteria, fungi or virus reach the meninges by one of two main routes:

> through the bloodstream

> through direct contact between the meninges and either the nasal cavity or the skin.

In most cases, meningitis follows invasion of the bloodstream by organisms that live upon mucous surfaces such as the nasal cavity. Once the microorganism has entered the bloodstream, they enter the subarachnoid space in places where the blood–brain barrier is vulnerable—such as the choroid plexus.

The large-scale inflammation that occurs in the subarachnoid space during meningitis is not a direct result of microbial infection but can rather largely be attributed to the response of the immune system to the entry of bacteria into the central nervous system.

When components of the microbial cell membrane are identified by the immune cells of the brain (astrocytes and microglia ), they respond by releasing large amounts of cytokines, hormone-like mediators that recruit other immune cells and stimulate other tissues to participate in an immune response. The blood–brain barrier becomes more permeable, leading to "vasogenic" cerebral edema (swelling of the brain due to fluid leakage from blood vessels). Large numbers of white blood cells enter the CSF, causing inflammation of the meninges and leading to "interstitial" edema (swelling due to fluid between the cells).

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→→→→ RISK FACTORS INCLUDE

LIVING IN A COMMUNITY SETTING OR CROWDED AREAS

# BEING EXPOSED TO INSECTS AND RODENTS
# MEDICAL PROBLEMS
# SKIPPING VACCINATIONS
COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM

→→→→ GENERAL SYMTOPMS INCLUDE

• High fever

# • Lethargy and drowsiness 
# • Vomiting and loss of appetite 
# • Headache.  
# • A rash (either dots or bruises) 
# • Fits (seizures) 
# • Stiff neck 
# • Complaining that the light hurts their eyes (photophobia) 
# • Confusion 

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→→→→ MANAGEMENT OF MENINGITIS

VACCINATION

# USE OF ANTIBIOTICS
# USE OF STEROIDS
# USE OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS
# USE OF ANTI-FUNGAL DRUG 

→→→→ CONCLUSION

Meningitis continues to claim many lives, despite the availability of potent antibiotics to destroy the deadly pathogens. A delay in diagnosis usually means morbidity or death. Vaccination is one major way of management, it has proved effective and indispensable in relation to other processes. I plead with all of you to make sure you encourage parents to vaccinate their wards. Prevention still reainss the best therapy for any disease. Spread the word, enlighten your neighbors, and save a soul

See you all soon. I remain your friend @donnest

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