Ibu, kebetulan saya punya artikel singkat mengenai Meningitis ini.
Mudah-mudahan membantu.
Atau untuk lengkapnya Ibu bisa coba searching dari Google.com, pake keyword
"meningitis". Banyak kok Bu. Ada salah satu site (saya lupa/nggak nyimpan
addressnya) yang cukup detail mengulas penyakit ini (berikut gambar-gambar
gejalanya), plus penyakit2 lain yg mirip/sejenis.
 (Maaf tidak berupa attach file krn takut mengandung virus. Kali aja tidak
ter-detect oleh komputer saya).

WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the
fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal
meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important
because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis
is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while
bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage,
hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also
important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because
antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other
people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the
leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all
children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence
of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae
and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS?
High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in
anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several
hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea,
vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness.
In newborns and small infants, the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and
neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect, and the infant may only
appear slow or inactive, or be irritable, have vomiting, or be feeding
poorly. As the disease progresses, patients of any age may have seizures.

HOW IS MENINGITIS DIAGNOSED?
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, the
patient should see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by
growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained
by performing a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted into an area in
the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal is readily accessible.
Identification of the type of bacteria responsible is important for
selection of correct antibiotics.

CAN MENINGITIS BE TREATED?
Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics.
It is important, however, that treatment be started early in the course of
the disease. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of
bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to
below 15%, although the risk is higher among the elderly.

IS MENINGITIS CONTAGIOUS?
Yes, some forms are bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria are
spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e.,
coughing, kissing). Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis
are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu, and they are
not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person
with meningitis has been.
However, sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis have spread to other
people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with
meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis (also called meningococcal
meningitis) or Hib. People in the same household or day-care center, or
anyone with direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a
boyfriend or girlfriend) would be considered at increased risk of acquiring
the infection. People who qualify as close contacts of a person with
meningitis caused by N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent
them from getting the disease. Antibiotics for contacts of a person with Hib
meningitis disease are no longer recommended if all contacts 4 years of age
or younger are fully vaccinated against Hib disease (see below).

ARE THERE VACCINES AGAINST MENINGITIS?
Yes, there are vaccines against Hib and against some strains of N.
meningitidis and many types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccines
against Hib are very safe and highly effective.
There is also a vaccine that protects against four strains of N.
meningitidis, but it is not routinely used in the United States and is not
effective in children under 18 months of age. The vaccine against N.
meningitidis is sometimes used to control outbreaks of some types of
meningococcal meningitis in the United States. Meningitis cases should be
reported to state or local health departments to assure follow-up of close
contacts and recognize outbreaks. Although large epidemics of meningococcal
meningitis do not occur in the United States, some countries experience
large, periodic epidemics. Overseas travelers should check to see if
meningococcal vaccine is recommended for their destination. Travelers should
receive the vaccine at least 1 week before departure, if possible.
Information on areas for which meningococcal vaccine is recommended can be
obtained by calling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at
(404)-332-4565.
A vaccine to prevent meningitis due to S. pneumoniae (also called
pneumococcal meningitis) can also prevent other forms of infection due to S.
pneumoniae. The pneumococcal vaccine is not effective in children under 2
years of age but is recommended for all persons over 65 years of age and
younger persons with certain chronic medical problems.

Source:
Information in this handout taken from the CDC (McKinley University)

-----Original Message-----
From: Irmayani Susanty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 10:25 AM
Subject: [balita-anda] Radang Selaput Otak


>Dear netters,
>saat ini teman saya sedang membutuhkan segala informasi yg berkaitan dengan
>penyakit Radang Selaput Otak. Mengingat saya sendiri tidak mengetahui
>banyak, kecuali bahwa untuk mencegah anak/bayi terserang meningitis ini di
>beri vaksin Act Hib berulang sampai 4x mulai usia 2 bln (cmiiw). Tapi terus
>terang saya tidak mengetahui secara jelas bahayanya penyakit ini.
>Mohon kiranya bila ada rekan yg mempunyai informasi atau artikel yg terkait
>dapat memberikan pencerahan.
>
>Wassalam,
>Mamanya Vinny
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Parade Parcel Indokado 2002-2003 - Buy 10, Get One Free! ---->
http://www.indokado.com/parcel2002.html
>>> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.com
>>> Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Parade Parcel Indokado 2002-2003 - Buy 10, Get One Free! ----> 
>http://www.indokado.com/parcel2002.html
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>> Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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