There are currently two vaccines approved for use in preventing meningococcal meningitis which is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccines are the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and the meningococcal polysaccharide...
Meningitis is a condition in which the meninges, which is a layer of tissue around the central nervous system, becomes inflamed. Meningitis can be caused by viral and bacterial infections. There is a vaccine for one form of bacterial meningitis,...
The lower portions of the lungs are normally sterile, that is, free of bacteria. When normal lung defenses fail, bacteria can infect the lungs, causing pneumonia. While most people recover from pneumonia, it can be life threatening. According to...
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, that surround the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the illness is most commonly caused by either viral or bacterial infection....
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the tissues that cover and protect the spinal cord and brain--the meninges. Although this infection is most common in infants and children, bacterial meningitis can occur in adults. The Centers for Disease...
A membrane that consists of three layers surrounds the brain; the layers consist of the dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater. These layers are referred to as the meninges. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges caused by a viral,...
About 2,500 cases of meningococcal infections are reported each year in the U.S; this infection carries a 10 percent fatality rate. The coffee bean-shaped bacteria, called Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci), which is responsible for the...
Most bacteria coexist with humans without harm. However, some bacterial species cause severe infection with potentially disabling or life-threatening consequences. Disease-causing bacteria are termed pathogens. The bacteria Neisseria meningitidis,...
Scientists classify bacteria by gram stain. This staining method was developed in 1884 by a Danish bacteriologist named Christian Gram. This method is still used in labs today. Bacteria that are called gram negative have this name because they...
Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are several bacteria that can cause meningitis, including Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib),...
Normal microbial flora, also called normal microbiota, refers to all of the beneficial bacteria that live in the mucous membranes and on the skin. They are considered beneficial because they defend against harmful bacteria, help destroy toxins,...
Meningococcal meningitis, an infection of the tissues surrounding the brain, is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus. The World Health Organization says this bateria is very contagious and can cause epidemics of...
A chronic headache refers to a condition that occurs for 15 days or more a month, says the Mayo Clinic. Some symptoms of a chronic headache include a pulsating pain on one side of the head, vomiting, nausea and sensitivity to sound and light....
A rash is an area of skin irritation. It can be localized to small area of the skin or cover the entire body. In children, generalized rashes are very common, but are also concerning as they can indicate a serious medical condition, especially if...
The lungs are prone to infections because lung tissue is designed to interact with the outside world (via breathing) but is fragile enough that it can be damaged easily. Lung infections, also known as infectious pneumonia, can range from fairly...
Meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain, is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria. The after effects depend on the precise causative agent, as well as the affected person's age and general state of health....
Meningitis is a medical condition that occurs when the membranes (called meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Meningitis is either caused by a viral infection, which is usually mild and does not require treatment, or a...
Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion and weariness that does not go away with rest. Fatigue is not drowsiness that responds to a good night's sleep. Nausea is the feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that produces the urge to vomit. Many...
Three membranes, called the meninges, lie between the brain and the skull and cover the spinal cord. Infection of the meninges is called meningitis. Viral meningitis is usually self-limiting and rarely leads to complications. Bacterial...
Spinal meningitis, sometimes just called meningitis, is an infection that attacks the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, causing them to become inflamed. This condition can be mild or life threatening. It can cause symptoms similar...
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis comes in two flavors: viral and bacterial. Bacterial infections are the more serious. The symptoms of meningitis are a severe headache,...
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes, an infection can infiltrate the brain and wreak havoc on the entire body. In some cases, chemicals in the brain can change and lead to movement problems. Also, tissues...
Meningitis, the inflammation of the membranes (known as meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord, is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection. On rare occasions, meningitis may also be caused by fungal or amoebic...
The meninges is a membrane that covers and protects your brain. It is composed of three layers called the pia, arachnoid and dura. You also have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord as it circulates...
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system and are surrounded by a system of membranes called meninges and a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The meninges and CSF are designed for protection and nourishment of the central...
Rashes are a common occurrence in children, but they can be a worrisome sight to parents. Most rashes in children are benign and will go away on their own, but some rashes require close examination and evaluation. Rashes that cover a child's body...
Everyday, humans get exposed to millions of cells of bacteria. Some types of bacteria help to partially digest food, other types reside on the skin as part of the natural flora. The same bacteria that is beneficial in one situation can cause...
The brain and spinal cord form the human body's central nervous system. The spinal cord is the primary pathway by which the body conducts sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the brain. The brain processes sensory input and...
HealthLine refers to urinary tract infections as any infection occurring along the urinary tract in the human body. The urinary tract begins in the kidneys and ends in the urethra, where urine exits the body. According to eMedicinehealth, bacteria...
