Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis Essay -- Biology

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis Abstract- Meningitis and Encephalitis symptoms are almost identical to those of the flu or common cold. Most symptoms are exceedingly subtle, and immediate diagnosis is crucial, because meningitis and encephalitis can become deadly in a matter of hours. There are many different forms of diagnosis, each equally important. Differentiating between bacterial and viral forms of the disease is important because treatment and severity differs. Meningitis is more prevalent in the elderly, the very young, and those with immune deficiency diseases. After his first trip to Africa, Brad Pitt came down with a mild case of viral meningitis. Luckily, Brad was diagnosed and treated in time by the finest doctors in Los Angeles. However, the meningitis could have turned deadly had the star not sought immediate medical attention. Meningitis can turn deadly in a matter of hours, but so few people recognize the symptoms. Mostly meningitis symptoms are comparable tom the common cold. There are signs, though, and accurate diagnosis procedures to ensure full and healthy lives for everyone. Meningitis is a potentially deadly disease with generally common symptoms. It can be either a viral or bacterial infection of a person?s spinal fluid. It also affects the fluid surrounding the brain. Meningitis usually started with either a viral or bacterial infection generally of the respiratory tract. Meningitis is much more common in the very young, very old, and people with immune systems that have been affected by an STD, such as HIV/AIDS. Symptoms in babies are often extremely difficult to detect as they cannot voice their grievances Meningitis symptoms in infants are almost impossible to visibly sepa... ...Control And Prevention. 12 Oct. 2005. 31 July 2006 http:///www.cdc.gov/ncidod/DBMD/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm. "Infections Meningitis." Kids Health For Parents. Ed. Elena Pearl Ben- Joseph, MD and Neil Izenberg, MD. Mar. 2004. Nemours Foundation. 31 July 2006 http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis.html "Meningitis." Wikipedia. 31 July 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Meningitis. Meningitis. Ed. Mary L. Gavin, MD and Joel Klein, MD. Nov. 2004. Kids Health. 1 Aug. 2006 meningitis.html>. Encephalitis. Ed. Barbara P Homeier, MD and Joel Klein, MD. Jan. 2005. Kids Health. 1 Aug. 2006 bacterial_viral/encephalitis.html>. "Encephalitis." Wikipedia. 30 July 2006. 1 Aug. 2006 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis>. Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis Essay -- Biology Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningitis and Encephalitis Abstract- Meningitis and Encephalitis symptoms are almost identical to those of the flu or common cold. Most symptoms are exceedingly subtle, and immediate diagnosis is crucial, because meningitis and encephalitis can become deadly in a matter of hours. There are many different forms of diagnosis, each equally important. Differentiating between bacterial and viral forms of the disease is important because treatment and severity differs. Meningitis is more prevalent in the elderly, the very young, and those with immune deficiency diseases. After his first trip to Africa, Brad Pitt came down with a mild case of viral meningitis. Luckily, Brad was diagnosed and treated in time by the finest doctors in Los Angeles. However, the meningitis could have turned deadly had the star not sought immediate medical attention. Meningitis can turn deadly in a matter of hours, but so few people recognize the symptoms. Mostly meningitis symptoms are comparable tom the common cold. There are signs, though, and accurate diagnosis procedures to ensure full and healthy lives for everyone. Meningitis is a potentially deadly disease with generally common symptoms. It can be either a viral or bacterial infection of a person?s spinal fluid. It also affects the fluid surrounding the brain. Meningitis usually started with either a viral or bacterial infection generally of the respiratory tract. Meningitis is much more common in the very young, very old, and people with immune systems that have been affected by an STD, such as HIV/AIDS. Symptoms in babies are often extremely difficult to detect as they cannot voice their grievances Meningitis symptoms in infants are almost impossible to visibly sepa... ...Control And Prevention. 12 Oct. 2005. 31 July 2006 http:///www.cdc.gov/ncidod/DBMD/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm. "Infections Meningitis." Kids Health For Parents. Ed. Elena Pearl Ben- Joseph, MD and Neil Izenberg, MD. Mar. 2004. Nemours Foundation. 31 July 2006 http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis.html "Meningitis." Wikipedia. 31 July 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Meningitis. Meningitis. Ed. Mary L. Gavin, MD and Joel Klein, MD. Nov. 2004. Kids Health. 1 Aug. 2006 meningitis.html>. Encephalitis. Ed. Barbara P Homeier, MD and Joel Klein, MD. Jan. 2005. Kids Health. 1 Aug. 2006 bacterial_viral/encephalitis.html>. "Encephalitis." Wikipedia. 30 July 2006. 1 Aug. 2006 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis>.