High school year 9 project Meningitis affect around 3,500 people annually, in UK alone. It is the inflammation of the meninges. Main caused through viral or bacterial pathogens.

1. MENINGITIS_

2. CONTENTS_
➤ INTRODUCTION
➤ PATHOGEN
➤ SYMPTOMS
➤ OUTBREAK
➤ DEFENCE
➤ IMMUNISATION

3. INTRODUCTION_
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges
(Fig.1). They are the delicate membranes that
surrounds the brain and the spinal cord.
The common causes of meningitis are viral and
bacterial. In rare cases fungal and parasitic factors
could also trigger meningitis.
Fig.1.THE MENINGES consists of
three layers; Dura mater, Arachnoid
and Pia mater.
Fig.2. An image of what infected
meninges look like.
Fig.1
Fig.2

4. PATHOGEN_
The interdependence between the host (us humans) and the pathogen could be
categorised as parasitism as we are harmed when they enter our system.
There are different pathogens based on what type of meningitis it is. Some of the
common pathogens for each of the meningitis types are listed below:
VIRAL MENINGITIS:
➤ Enteroviruses (Coxsackie or Echovirus)
➤ Herpes viruses (herpes simplex viruses
and varicella zoster virus)
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS:
➤ Meningococcal bacteria
➤ Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
➤ Pneumococcal bacteria
➤ Streptococcus pneumoniae
FUNGAL MENINGITIS:
➤ Candida albicans
➤ Cryptococcus neoformans
➤ Histoplasma
PARASITIC MENINGITIS:
➤ Naegleria fowleri

5. SYMPTOMS_
Symptoms of meningitis varies based on the age group.
For BABIES and TODDLERS
➤ Fever
➤ Cold feet and hands
➤ Rapid breathing
➤ Unusual high pitched crying
➤ Arching back and stiff neck
➤ Vomiting
➤ Refusing food intake
➤ Drowsiness
➤ Dislike of bright light
➤ Rashes (Fig.1)
➤ Seizures
➤ Unresponsive/blank expression/floppy
For CHILDREN and ADULTS
➤ Fever
➤ Cold feet and hands
➤ Stiff neck
➤ Vomiting
➤ Difficulty to wake up
➤ Drowsiness
➤ Dislike of bright light
➤ Rashes (Fig.1)
➤ Seizures
➤ Muscle and joint pain
➤ Severe Headache
➤ Confusion/ irritability

6. SYMPTOMS_
Fig.1.THE TUMBLER TEST(also known
as the glass test) is used to detect if the rash
is a sign of meningitis. Usually the rash is
one of the last symptoms to be displayed.
Fig.1

7. OUTBREAK_
➤ Meningitis has been reported to appear in 1768 but it wasn’t recognised until 1805. It has
been suggested that Hippocrates may have known of its existence.
➤ It was after the development of vaccines that the death rates started decreasing. During 1990,
464,000 deaths were recorded. By 2013 the number of deaths were down to 303,000.
➤ Many countries are affected by the spread of meningitis (Fig.1). Population-wide studies have
shown that the rates of viral meningitis is higher. Except in Brazil, where bacterial meningitis
is more common.
➤ 70% of the cases are of children under 5 years of age and people over the age of 60.
➤ Sub-Saharan Africa has been named the “meningitis belt” (Fig.1, in red) after the large
outbreak of meningococcal meningitis for over a century.
Fig.1
Fig.1.The coloured areas of this world map
shows which countries are affected by
meningococcal meningitis.

8. DEFENCE_
Meningitis is caused as the body responds to an invasion of a bacterial, viral, fungal or
parasitic infection. The immune system's response leads to the inflammation of the
meninges which then interferes with our sensory and motor responses throughout our body.
Before starting-off the treatment a lumbar puncture (Fig.1) is conducted to collect a sample
of cerebrospinal fluid. This sample is tested to diagnose the infection. Later, depending on
the infection, antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone,
are prescribed as part of the treatment.
For bacterial meningitis, even after early diagnosis and treatment 5-10% of patients died. For
this reason bacterial meningitis is considered to be one of the deadliest types of meningitis.
Of the survivors, 10-20% of them had other complications like hearing loss, learning
disability etc.
Fig.1.LUMBAR PUNCTURE (also
known as spinal tap) is shown in the
diagram. A needle is inserted into the spine
to collect the fluid. The patient needs to be
in the sitting or lying position (like shown)
to derive the fluid.
Fig.1.

9. IMMUNISATION_
Vaccinations have been developed to prevent only certain types of meningitis.
There isn’t a vaccine to prevent all types. There are vaccinations available for
Hib, meningococcal and pneumococcal pathogens.
PATHOGEN
(Bacterial)
VACCINES AGES
Haemophilus
influenza type B
Hib There is a set routine. First dose at 2 months of age. Second dose at 4
months. Third Dose at 6 months (it is continued depending on the brand of
vaccine). The final dose or booster dose is at 12-15 months of age.
Pneumococcal
1. Prevenar
2. Pneumovax
1. For children aged from 6 weeks to 9yrs of age.
2. Vaccine for adults aged 65yr and over.
Meningococcal
1. Meningtec
2. Menjugate
3. NeisVac-C
4. Mencevax
5. Menomune
1. Has a set routine vaccination schedule and is given to children at 12
months (sometimes even given to infants who are 6 weeks or older).
2. Same as 1.
3. Same as 1.
4. Given to children over the age of 2 and people who visit high risk areas
of contacting this infection. Every 3yrs a booster is required.
5. Same as 4.
These vaccinations only target some strains of the pathogen and their protection
won’t last long thus boosters are needed after a time period.

10. ➤ http://meningitis.com.au/about_meningitis/
types_of_meningitis.phtml
➤ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/
➤ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_puncture
➤ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningitis
➤ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningitis/
basics/definition/con-20019713
BIBLIOGRAPHY_

11. THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING_
Presentation by Nanditha MN