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- Meningitis
- SYMPTOMS. There is usually a sore throat, a cold or other respiratory
- illness followed within hours by fever, stiff neck, vomiting, irritability,
- headache, drowsiness, confusion, stupor and coma.
- CAUSES. Infection by bacteria, viruses or fungi cause inflammation of the
- membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. An epidemic type of
- meningitis, called Meningococcemia, is highly contagious because the
- organisms are in the throat and in the cerebrospinal fluid. Tuberculous
- Meningitis is caused by the same organisms as that of lung tuberculous.
- Viruses, usually mumps and polio, may cause a disease called Aseptic
- Meningitis that mainly affect young children is the summer months.
- TREATMENT. Consult your doctor immediately.
- .Meningitis is a serious disease. A spinal tap may be required.
- .Antibiotics and other medication may be prescribed.
- .Therapy including administration of fluids may be required.