There are five types of meningitis: bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal and non-infectious. The most serious type of meningitis is meningococcal meningitis which is bacterial. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Meningitis was discovered in 1805 by Viesseux during an epidemic in Geneva, Switzerland, but it was only in 1887 that the causative agent was identified by Anton Weichselbaum. It was given the name Intracellular Neisseria due to the nature of the organism's intracellular oval micrococci. Men are more likely to get meningitis than women. Young children are particularly at risk because they have less developed immune systems than older groups. Genetics, travel to places where meningitis is common, and the presence of insects and rodents can cause infection. Most meningitis is caused by bacteria and viruses that live in our bodies. These germs usually stay in the intestines, nose or throat. If the bacteria or virus spreads to the tissues (meninges) surrounding the brain, it will cause inflammation. Symptoms of meningitis include: sudden high fever, stiff neck, severe headache that seems different from normal, headache accompanied by nausea or vomiting, confusion or difficulty concentrating, seizures, drowsiness or difficulty walking, sensitivity to light, lack of appetite or thirst, and rash (sometimes, as in meningococcal meningitis). The differentiated diagnosis of meningitis would be brain abscesses, brain neoplasms, delirium tremens (DT), and herpes simplex in emergency medicine. Diagnostic tests to confirm meningitis are spinal taps (lumbar tap), blood tests, CT scans, or additional diagnostic tests for meningitis. A lumbar puncture will collect spinal fluid to help determine if you have meningitis. A CSF analysis can also help your doctor identify the bacteria causing meningitis. Specific treatment for meningitis would include antibiotics, corticosteroids, and medications to reduce fever. You can also take oxygen therapy if you have difficulty breathing. (www.webmd.com) Depending on the cause, meningitis can get better on its own or be life-threatening, requiring urgent antibiotic treatment. Keep in mind: is just a sample.Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a Custom EssayThere's a lot you can do to fight meningitis. On the one hand, meningococcal vaccines can help prevent the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adolescents. Your teen can also take steps to strengthen their immune system and prevent the spread of illness. There is a research foundation called the Meningitis Research Foundation. You can visit their website to learn more about what they do.