Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. As this eMedTV article explains, it is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This Web page discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition.
Bacterial Meningitis
A serious condition that may result in brain damage, bacterial meningitis is considered a medical emergency. This eMedTV Web page offers an in-depth look at bacterial meningitis and its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is a serious but rarely fatal form of meningitis. As this eMedTV page explains, it's a lot like bacterial meningitis, except it's caused by a virus and it has no specific treatment. This page provides an overview of viral meningitis.
Meningitis Symptoms
Common meningitis symptoms in people over the age of two include high fever, headache, and stiff neck. This eMedTV segment provides a detailed list of the common and uncommon symptoms of meningitis.
Symptoms of Meningitis
As this eMedTV article explains, symptoms of meningitis (such as headache, stiff neck, and high fever) can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. This Web page provides information on these and other symptoms of the condition.
Hib
Until recently, Hib disease was a cause of serious (often deadly) infections in children under age five. This eMedTV resource tells you what you need to know about this disease, including information on its symptoms, transmission, and prevention.
Prevnar
Prevnar is a routine childhood vaccine used to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and ear infections. This eMedTV resource explains what the ideal age is for getting this vaccine, describes how it works, and lists some potential side effects.
Hib Vaccine
Since the introduction of conjugate Hib vaccine, the incidence of disease has declined by 98 percent. This eMedTV segment offers a look at the facts and figures pertaining to the vaccine, including information on who should and shouldn't get it.
Meningitis Vaccine
Many types of vaccines for meningitis can protect against different forms of the disease. This article from the eMedTV archives describes these vaccines in detail and provides in-depth information on who should get them and when.
Meningococcal Vaccine
There are two types of meningococcal vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis available in the United States. This eMedTV selection gives an overview of these vaccines, including information on how they differ and who should get vaccinated.
Meningitis Treatment
As this eMedTV page explains, treating meningitis can involve IV antibiotics, bed rest, and IV antifungal medications (the choice of treatment depends on the type of meningitis a person has). This page gives an overview of how this condition is treated.
Prevnar Side Effects
Common side effects of Prevnar may include diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. This article from the eMedTV library lists other possible side effects of the vaccine and explains which problems are potentially serious and require medical attention.
Meningitis Diagnosis
A meningitis diagnosis is based on the patient's symptoms, physical exam, and test results. This eMedTV article discusses meningitis diagnosis in detail and describes important imaging procedures (such as an MRI) that are used to diagnose meningitis.
