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I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Health Report.
Meningitis is an infection
of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Most cases are caused by a
virus or bacteria.
Medical experts say people with viral meningitis generally get
better within about ten days. Bacterial meningitis is rare and more
serious. It may cause brain damage, hearing loss or, in some cases, death.
Tests on a small amount of fluid taken from the spinal cord can show if
the infection is viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis can be treated
with antibiotic drugs. Experts say it is important to begin treatment as
early as possible.
Common signs of meningitis include high body temperature, headache and
neck pain. Also, people may be sleepy and not able to think clearly.
Newborn babies with meningitis may not eat; they may have little energy or
cry continually. Meningitis can also cause vomiting and seizures in both
children and adults.
Meningitis can spread when a person coughs or sneezes. And it can
spread through kissing. Crowded living conditions may also increase the
spread of meningitis. Signs of the disease usually appear within two to
ten days of infection.
Around the world, different kinds of bacteria cause different forms of
meningitis. The highest infection rates are in southern Africa in
countries including Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia and Niger. These
countries are part of what is known as the "African meningitis belt," from
Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east.
The last major outbreak of meningitis in Africa was in 1996 and 1997.
The World Health Organization had reports of more than 250,000 cases. More
than 20,000 people died.
Reports last month said a meningitis outbreak in Ethiopia had killed at
least 40 people and infected more than 400. Health officials organized a
campaign to vaccinate people against the disease.
Vaccines can protect against some of the most common bacteria that
cause meningitis. In 2003, researchers developed a vaccine against a new
strain. This form of meningitis killed at least 1500 people in Burkina
Faso in 2002.
This VOA Special English Health Report was written by Cynthia Kirk. Our
reports are online at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Gwen Outen. | 
