Causes+Meningitis-Timothy

Causes Effects  Treatment Prevention Epidemiology Notes Bibliography || ** __Causes__ ** Meningitis is caused by an infection of the meninges which is the area surrounding the spinal cord and brain although there are many rare causes of meningitis, the main cause of meningitis is either bacterial or viral. Meningitis may be hard for the body to fight back against because there are fewer antibodies and white blood cells in the meninges. There are two main types of bacteria that cause meningitis, They are Neisseria meningitidis or meningococci which causes meningococcal meninigitis. These bacteria are found in your body. Up to 25% of individuals carry these bacteria harmlessly in their throats. It is only occasionally that they go on to cause an infection in people. It is the most common type of meningitis causing bacteria and can also cause septicemia which is a blood-poisoning disease. Pneumoccal meningitis is caused by streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococci. It is thes second most common form of bacterial meningitis, it is less common because it is not contagious and cannot cause outbreks. However, it has a higher fatality rate and has a higher risk of serious after effects. Those who are at risk for getting this form of bacterial meningitis are those who have sickle cell disease, have had there spleen removed or injured, have diabetes, have long-term disease in the herat, lungs, kidney, or liver, thsoe with a head injury or skull defect, thsoe who have low immunity, or have mechanical devices implanted in the inner ear to aid hearing. Viral meningitis is a less serious form of meningitis and is caused by enteroviruses of which there are about 80 types, which are transmitted through contact with body fluids and waste and can be contracted through contact with respiratory droplets. Viral meningitis tends to be more common during summer and early fall. There are some demographic groups that are particularly at risk for getting meningitis. For example: newborns especially newborns, young children, adolescents and young people, the elderly, those with a weak immune system or HIV/AIDS or have other chronic diseases such as cancer. Outbreaks of meningitis tend to happen in schools and colleges where people live and work close together. Those living in the meningitis belt in sub-saharan africa which is talked of more in the Epidemiology page of this wiki is also a risk factor. Poor sanitation is also a major risk factor for contracting viral meningitis.
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 * Bacterial Meningitis**
 * Viral Meningitis**
 * Risk Factors**

Quiz Question: Based on the above information do you think bacterial Meningitis or Viral Meningitis more common?