Meningitis: The German Neisser

It is no longer news that Germans discovered bacteria species known to have ravaged any society it simply finds a root. As humans we need to remain strong each day by staying healthy and not fold our arms in silence and allow German Neisser to completely overtake our body systems before we seek medical solutions […]

It is no longer news that Germans discovered bacteria species known to have ravaged any society it simply finds a root.

As humans we need to remain strong each day by staying healthy and not fold our arms in silence and allow German Neisser to completely overtake our body systems before we seek medical solutions when observed going by its symptoms.

Thus, we require continued awareness program and actions to forestall future occurrence so that the high morbidity and mortality can be brought to a halt or a manageable situation.

The German Neisser is properly titled in reference to the German bacteriologist Albert Neisser who in 1879 discovered its first example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen which causes the human disease gonorrhoea.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord in the human body.

It occurs when these surrounding membranes becomes inflamed/infected due to one or many causes. The most common causes are viral and bacterial infections which can be of multiple origins.

Bacterial meningitis is one of the most feared infectious diseases of children and epidemic meningitis can have a devastating impact on an entire population.

The specific type of the offending bacteria agent is highly dependent on factors like age and on the context of occurrence. For example, immunocompromised individuals subject their bodies to sickle cell disease with preceding history of trauma to the head with skull fractures, infections of the ear, nose, throat, and sinusitis.

The last but very important is in the context of an epidemic as we have seen some days ago where Neisseria meningitides strain C has been commonly isolated.

Other strains of N. meningitides which have also been implicated in epidemics and even in sporadic settings are A or W135.

Meningitis is a syndrome characterized by acute onset of meningeal symptoms (stiff neck, fever –usually more than 38°C, and headache); there may also be altered consciousness or altered mental status, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, avoidance of light, irritability or inconsolable cry, rashes.

Then among infants the following are symptoms: classical features are absent and there may be in addition, refusal to eat, dizziness, lethargy, bulging anterior soft spot when not crying.

Viral and bacterial meningitis are communicable diseases which can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or close contact.

Meningitis is easily spread when people live in close quarters. Living in small spaces increases the chance of exposure to the disease. Examples of these locations include college dormitories and boarding schools, barracks, IDP camps & slums, day care centres etc. All ages are at risk of meningitis, however certain age groups have a higher risk.

As they say “prevention is better than cure”, methods of preventions are not farfetched. Vaccines are available for bacterial meningitis, avoid overcrowding, ensure good cross ventilation, personal and communal hygiene, go for immediate medical attention if you experience any of the above listed symptoms.

Bacterial meningitis can be deadly, so don’t take chances by remaining carefree when you experience obvious symptoms.

There’s no way to know if you have bacterial or viral meningitis just by judging how you feel.

Your doctor will need to perform series of tests to determine which type you have and lastly, report any suspected case to appropriate authority.

I sincerely hope this help to curb and forestall this Neisser event?