1.  Physician

 

2.  Medical Laboratory Scientist

 

3.  Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.

 

4. Viral and bacterial meningitis. Bacterial tends to be more severe with possible long term complications.

 

5. Through respiratory and throat secretions.  It may be spread through coughing or kissing. It may also be spread by sharing objects such as a glass or cigarette.

 

6. Children under 5, especially those under age 1. Also teenagers and young adults including university populations.

 

7.  High fever, headache,vomiting, body aches progressing to neck stiffness, lethargy, severe headache and convulsions.

 

8. 10% of patients with Meningococcal meningitis will die within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Of the survivors, 10-20% will have neurological complications such as paralysis, deafness, seizure disorders, mental problems. Other individuals may lose limbs.

 

9.  WBC is elevated in the CBC.
     Spinal Fluid:  Elevated WBC, protein.  Glucose is decreased.  Cells and bacteria present in spinal fluid.

 

10.  To reduce inflammation and swelling around the brain.  This reduces the chance of seizures.

 

11.  Vaccination

 

12.  24 hours

 

13.  Hemorrhage

 

14.  A series of x-ray beams from many different angles are used to create cross-sectional images of the patient's body.  The computer assembles these images into a three-dimensional picture.

 

15.  Organs, bones, and tissues can be displayed in great detail in a three-dimensional picture in a CAT scan.  An X-ray only shows a single dimension.  Much more can be seen from a CAT scan.

 

16.  In many cases, an X-ray picture is all that is needed.  It is significantly more inexpensive than a CAT scan. 

 

17.  Medical Laboratory Scientist