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There are many types of meningitis, and depending on which type the person contacts, treatment will vary. Most cases are caused by viruses or bacteria, but other organisms can also cause meningitis as well. Some can even result from head trauma, some cancers or even reactions to medications. Anyone is at risk for meningitis, no matter their age. Why is meningitis so scary? It is because it is an infection of the covering of the brain and can only be diagnosed by a procedure called a lumbar puncture(spinal tap). Meningitis is a very dangerous infection and the complications range from brain related such as deafness, seizures, and even mental retardation. The infection spreads through the blood and can even cause death. Meningitis is treated by intravenous antibiotics which is able to decrease or prevent the associated complications, however the death rate from bacterial meningitis is about 10 percent. Unfortunately there are several bacterial meningitis and there so there is not one singular vaccine that protects from all of them. Meningitis is is spread by respiratory secretions such as sneezes and is more prone in places where large groups of people are at, such as in schools and military campuses. Worse, more than 50 percent of all meningitis cases are in children under 5 years old. All of this makes meningitis a very scary infection to have.

Statistics About Meningitis

? Meningitis hit an average of 1,500 Americans yearly. Those n particular are teens, young adults, and school aged children.

? From 1998 to 2007 around 1,500 Americans became infected each year

? About 11 percent of those infected with meningitis will die.

? Adolescents and young adults account for 15 percent of all cases and one out of seven cases among adolescents will result in death.

? Of those who survive meningitis, about 20 percent suffer long-term consequences such as brain damage, kidney disease, hearing loss or limb amputations.

Meningitis infection is very serious and there is a vaccination for a common type of meningitis, however there are many forms of the infection. A lot of educational institutions today will not even allow admission without having first been inoculated. This is fine but it still doe not protect our children from other strains. The best result for survival are to identify the infection early as time is of the essence. Preventing meningitis can only be done by non exposure. Sneezing and coughing responsibly should be taught, as well, kissing someone that appears to be sick should be avoided.