custom essays on meningitis (13 essays)

CSF was drawn and analyzed for WBC count , glucose and protein levels . The radiographic studies used include contrast-enhanced CT scan and MRI . These brain imaging studies helped identify if the intracranial pressure was elevated which would have carried a potential risk of brain herniation when lumbar puncture was done (Braunwald et al , 2001 . They also provided direct visualization of the meninges , the anatomical part involved in this case . The meninges are made up of three distinct connective tissues , the dura...

ShearerCooper L . A . and Frey R (1996 ) Adequate and attentive nursing must include measures of several types : administration of prescribed strain-specific antibiotic treatment , providing comfort and care for the patient , assessing of the patient 's condition and prevention of aggravations , isolation of the patient if necessary to avert dissemination of the infection . Working this division out in details , it is necessary to mention administration of antibiotics and other medications as ed by the physician , analgesics , anticonvulsants , oxygen and fluids if...

Individuals with TB-meningitis develop anorexia , constipation , lassitude , malaise , headache , vomiting , low-grade fever , evening rise in temperature , etc (R .E . Cull . 1996 . Meningitis is diagnosed based on the history , symptoms , signs , blood tests , urine tests , Lumbar puncture (for CSF examination , CT scans , MRI scans and cultures . Blood tests are performed to determine the blood cell counts , ESR , blood biochemistry , etc . Besides , a sample of the blood may be cultured to determine the causative microorganism and identify appropriate antimicrobial agents against them...

The cause of meningococcal disease can be explained as viral , bacterial , fungal , and parasitic . The only manner in which to differentiate the cause of meningococcal disease is through analyzing the patient 's cerebrospinal fluid , which is obtained via lumbar puncture (Myers p 55 2000 . The only preventable form of meningococcal disease is bacterial meningitis , the focus of the research is on the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis which , when left unvaccinated has the potential to invade the body , multiplying and entering the...

Forceful flexion causes severe pain . Positive Kernig 's sign : When the patient is lying with the thigh flexed on the abdomen , the leg cannot be completely extended . Positive Brudzinski 's sign : When the patient 's neck is flexed , flexion of the knees and hips is produced when passive flexion of the lower extremeity of one side is made , a similar movement is seen in the opposite extremeity (Rowland , 2000 . Photophobia : extreme sensitivity to light this finding is common , although the...

In most cases , even if people carry the bacteria , they may not contract meningitis for weeks or months . The bacteria only infect a person when they overcome the body 's defenses , enter the bloodstream , and migrate to the brain , causing meningitis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2008 . However , up to this day , it is still not clearly known exactly how and why the bacteria enter the bloodstream almost instantaneously . Although many studies and researches have be done to pinpoint...

Samples of urine , sputum , and blood should also be taken from a patient being diagnosed , and then analyzed . For patients suffering from meningococcal meningitis , chest x-rays and CT scans of the brain are taken and analyzed . From these , other sources of infection will be determined and other diagnoses would be ruled out . Identification of the correct strain of the bacterium causing the infection is very important in selecting the proper antibiotics . For each hour of delay from the application of...

Alberta due to its oil market has attracted numerous investors . So much so , that even businesses who operate illegally are putting up their industry in the area . These illegal business enterprises involve gangs who thrive in Alberta because of the high demand for prohibited drugs and substances , such as cocaine . This has been the trend since 1977 , as the Edmonton Police Department has strived hard to track down gangs and gang members in their efforts to eradicate drug pushing , trafficking...

It is usually caused by a virus or bacteria . Viral meningitis is less severe and can be cured without specific treatment . Bacterial meningitis can be severe and can cause brain damage , hearing loss , or learning disability . Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib ) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis before the 1990s . However , new vaccines given to all children as part of their routine immunizations reduced the incidence of meningitis through these bacteria . Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are now the...

It accounts for most of the cases of reported bacterial meningitis (48 ) but has the lowest mortality rate of the common types of bacterial meningitis (6 . It occurs mostly in children under four years of age and is especially prevalent at about six months . Residual damage to the nervous system occurs in many cases . The antibodies acquired from the mother provide protection for about two months . The carrier state in the throats of children is quite high , and transmission in...

Schultz (1991 ) notes that because the disease is known to spread extremely quickly , the moment it is suspected to have infected a person , treatment with intravenous antibiotics is started immediately , even before the results of the tests carried out to test for the diseases are out . Once bacterial meningitis is confirmed , the patient will be put on medication that will normally last a week or longer . To treat bacterial meningitis , antibiotics such as cephalosporins are used . The two best-known cephalosporins...

These measures may include having rests and good nutrition . Patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis are subjected to further antibiotic treatments . These patients at times are given medication aimed at controlling seizures in situations where the illness is severe . In situations where the there is massive pressure in the skull , a tube is inserted inside the meninges to reduce the pressure (Meadow and Sunstein , pp45 . Bacterial meningitis is accompanied by complications which require additional medication and treatment . Such complication as shock...

The acquisition of spinal fluid can be accomplished using the spinal tap method . This technique is done by inserting a sterile needle in the lower back area in which accessibility to the spinal canal is most possible . The isolation and identification of the specific specie of bacteria causing the meningitis is essential for the selection of appropriate antibiotic as treatment (CDC , 2008 . At present , antigen tests for Cryptococcus species have gained significant importance in the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis . The...