Meningitis-George Kresovich-Justin Goodridge

Meningitis

0Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges on the outer layer of the brain and spinal cord

Background Information

0 Joseph Gebhardt, 32, 5’6” and 164lbs has been waking up with severe headaches, joint pain and has been having sensitivity to light. His wife Sara had recently had meningitis and Joseph had been cleaning up her vomit and had unknowingly gotten some of her vomit on his hand and then went to itch his nose.

Symptoms

0General poor feeling0Sudden high fever0Severe, persistent headache0Neck stiffness0Nausea or vomiting0Discomfort in bright lights0Drowsiness or difficulty waking0 Joint pain

Affected Regions

0 It affects the brain and spinal chord0The bloodstream is affected

0 The sinuses0 Ears0 Upper respiratory tract

Diagnosis Tests

0Blood Cultures0 Blood drawn to check for bacteria

0 Imaging0 CT scans of head, chest, and sinus

0Spinal Tap0 Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for a low blood sugar and

increased white blood cell count

Treatments

0Mild cases0 Stay home and hydration0 Medicine for pain and fever

0General antibiotics and steroids0Medicines that reduce fever

0Oxygen Therapy0Supportive Care

0 Hospitalized for IV0 Close watch by doctors

Prognosis

0Bacterial Meningitis0 Serious neurological damage to body0 Death within hours

0Viral Meningitis0 Less likely to have permanent brain damage0 More likely to make full recovery

Communication Error

0Error in the communication in the neurons between Broca and Wernicke’s area leads to a disturbance in speech production

0The inflammation of the temporal lobe leads to a loss of hearing

Medical Professionals0 Infectious Disease Specialist

0 Specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of complex infections

0 Treat patients with chronic infection or disorders0 Education: 4 years of medical school, 3 years of doctor

training and 10 years of training in order to practice0 Assist doctor in diagnosis and treatment

0Laboratory Technician0 They test the spinal tissue and fluid to look for bacteria0 Assist doctor in diagnosis and treatment0 Education: Associate’s degree in medical technology,

licensing and certification

Etiology

0Causes0 Inflammation of protective membranes covering the

brain and spinal cord0 Infection of fluid surrounding spinal cord0 Physical injury0 Drugs 0 Cancerous tumors0 Parasites

Conclusion Questions0The disease you investigated involved a problem in

the nervous system. Explain how other body systems were affected by this error:The skeletal system is affected in that meningitis causes bone and joint damage which limits mobility.The circulatory system is affected in that the bacteria in your blood can release toxins and while your blood pressure rises and falls, the blood vessels may be damaged.

Conclusion Questions

0Brainstorm and describe at least two types of medical interventions that may help your patient:0 Corticosteroids relieve inflammation and pressure in the

brain0 Oxygen therapy is used to increase the amount of oxygen

in the blood which is found to be lower in patients with meningitis

Conclusion Questions

0Explain why even when their bodies seem to be failing, people with ALS have all of their mental functions and senses intact:ALS affects the motor neurons of the body which are responsible for muscle movement and sensory neurons are not affected which are responsible for transmitting information from the senses.

Bibliography

0Meningitis. (2014, April 1). Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.htm

0What Is Meningitis? Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Meningitis Causes. (2014, March 17). Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-meningitis-basics