Meningitis Case Studies

Throughout the diagnosis of meningitis, the physician checks the individual’s medical history and perform physical exams. For instance, the patient may go through a series of blood work, which the samples will be placed in a culture medium and analyzed for microbial growth. Also, gram-staining techniques can be used to identify the existence of specific parts on the bacterial body and locate its virulent factors. Alternatively, imaging exams such as computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance (MR scan) which enables doctors to detect any swelling or inflammation in the brain. Finally, another possible route for diagnoses of meningitis is the spinal tap, also called the lumbar puncture. During this specific test a sample of the cerebrospinal

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that meningococcal vaccines are available, but are not capable to prevent all of the different cases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Fortunately, there are many sources available for the treatment of meningitis. In the case of bacterial meningitis, antibiotics are mostly used, and can be prescribed orally. In extreme cases the treatment may be with intravenous antibiotics or even a combination of them. Additionally, corticosteroids mighy be used to suppress the inflammation. The Mayo Clinic states, “The antibiotic or combination of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection…this helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures” (Steckelberg, James). Another viable route the physician may take is to drain any infected sinus or mastoids, which are the bones in the skull. This technique removes the contaminaded fluid from the brain area preventing the further contamination of the

(http://www.meningitis.org/disease-info/after-effects) The potential life-long side effects are: memory and learning impairment, mood shifts and aggression, speech deficiency, occasional seizures, visual changes, migraines, hearing and balance problems, and muscle weakness and spasms. There might be days in which the person demonstrates these more often than the others. Additionally, they are not all necessarily presented. The person may only show one among all of the above. These side effects may vary and are completely dependent on the amount of time and severity of the disease. People with frail immune system, exposed to poor sanitation and lack of medical attention are at higher risk to have these life-long lasting