We can see
in the news how meningitis is a hot topic nowadays, but what is it?
How
powerful is nature in front of the science?
Meningitis
is the name given to the inflammation of the meninges membranes that surround
the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation might be caused by different
viruses and bacteria causing headache, fever and stiff neck, nausea/vomiting,
and changes in behavior.
In order to
check if your symptoms are caused by this infection, several tests are prompt:
Evaluation of the blood, brain scanning, and cerebro spinal fluid analysis.
Once there is a confirmation of the infection, the treatment include: antibiotic,
antiviral, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, and sedatives according to the
stage of the patient.
Now, what
it’s even more important: prevention. Of course, there is a vaccine to prevent
this infection, and is injected by 6 months of age 3 doses of Hib vaccine, and
then between 12 and 18 months, a fourth dose should be given.
Then, why
the number of infected people has increased? Well, as I said before the
infection is caused by different viruses and bacteria which might change for several
reasons, such as: combination to other stumps, mutation, resistance etc.
It seems
that technology is not perfect, it has its flaws when it comes to prevent or
cure some diseases, and that’s obvious since the natural world change every
once in a while in order to adapt to the new scenario. Technology move forward,
but apparently the natural world goes a step beyond.
What do you
think about it?
