Meningitis: Things You Should Know (Questions and Answers) explains the definition, causes, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, prevention, and treatments of meningitis in a question-and-answer format.
The book introduces meningitis as inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. It describes how meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and how infections may spread through kissing, coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Readers will also learn that meningitis may develop from conditions such as cancer or lupus.
Symptoms are described, including severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, seizures, high fever, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Risk factors such as diabetes, alcoholism, AIDS, splenectomy, pregnancy, and incomplete vaccination are also explained.
The book outlines complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, kidney failure, epilepsy, amputation, arthritis, hydrocephalus, subdural empyema, memory problems, and learning difficulties.
Diagnostic methods covered include blood cultures, lumbar puncture, CT scans, and X-rays. Prevention strategies such as vaccination, good hygiene, and healthy lifestyle practices are discussed, along with treatments that involve antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and intravenous fluids.
This book will be useful for students, healthcare workers, and readers who want to learn about meningitis, its symptoms, and treatment options.