Meningitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes which cover the brain and the spinal cord. The person affected with meningitis often experiences fever, neck-stiffness, headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light or loud noises and altered consciousness. Viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms are the primary causes of this disease. In some cases, meningitis may be life-threatening due to the proximity of inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is collected from the spinal cord by a lumbar puncture for diagnosis of meningitis. A few forms of meningitis can be prevented through vaccination and antibiotics. Its treatment depends on the cause of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics, fungal meningitis can be treated with antifungal agents and viral meningitis is treated with intravenous antiviral medications. This book contains some path-breaking studies on meningitis. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. This book, with its detailed analyses and data, will prove immensely beneficial to professionals and students involved in this area at various levels.