Flashcards on Meningitis: An Overview

Meningitis: An Overview - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

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What does the term meningitis mean?

Inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges).

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Meningitis

11 cards

Card 1

Question: What does the term meningitis mean?

Answer: Inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges).

Card 2

Question: What types of pathogens can cause meningitis?

Answer: Bacteria or viruses.

Card 3

Question: Which type of meningitis is more serious and requires urgent antibiotic treatment?

Answer: Bacterial meningitis.

Card 4

Question: Why don't antibiotics help with viral meningitis?

Answer: Because viruses are not susceptible to antibiotics; viral meningitis is usually less severe.

Card 5

Question: What is the likelihood of full recovery with early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis?

Answer: Most people make a full recovery with early diagnosis and treatment.

Card 6

Question: What can be the serious consequences of bacterial meningitis?

Answer: It can be fatal or cause permanent disability, such as deafness or brain damage.

Card 7

Question: How many cases of bacterial meningitis are reported annually in the United Kingdom (according to the text)?

Answer: Approximately 3,000 reported cases annually.

Card 8

Question: What are the three main forms of bacterial meningitis mentioned in the text?

Answer: Meningococcal, pneumococcal, and caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Card 9

Question: How quickly can meningitis develop?

Answer: It can develop over one to two days, but sometimes very rapidly, even within a few hours.

Card 10

Question: List the main symptoms of meningitis in adults.

Answer: Headache, fever, vomiting, stiff neck and joint pain, drowsiness or confusion leading to coma, intolerance to bright light, a rash of red-purple spots