Bacteria

Many species of bacteria can cause meningitis, but three types account for about 80 percent of cases:

* Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
  Meningococcus is found in the nasopharynx of about 5 percent of the population and is spread by respiratory droplets and close contact. For unknown reasons, only a small fraction of carriers develop meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis occurs most often in the first year of life, but may also occur in closed populations, such as schools.
  
* Hemophilus influenzae type b
  Hemophilus influenzae type b accounts for most meningitis in children more than one month old, but usually not in adults unless there is a predisposing factor such as head trauma or a compromised immune system.
 
* Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
  Pneumococcus is the most common cause of adult meningitis. Those at high risk are alcoholics and people with chronic ear infections, sinus infections, closed head injury, recurrent meningitis, pneumococcal pneumonia, sickle cell disease, or those without a spleen.

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These files may be accessed through the web at http://firstaid.ie.eu.org/

I would like to thank the IEASR for allowing me to convert their pages over to the Pilot.

Gordon Thomas
#admin@dogpatch.org (Remove the # character in order to e-mail.)
http://www.dogpatch.org

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DISCLAIMER:
Information in these files is presented in order to impart  general information relating to first aid of various injuries and conditions. Such information is not  complete and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your physician or other health care provider, or as a substiture for actual training in first aid and/or CPR. While all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this information, Mary Jo Sminkey and Irish Emergency Ambulance Services Resource (IEASR) make no warranty as to the information's completeness, reliability or accuracy. Access to and use of the information contained herein is entirely at the risk of the user, Mary Jo Sminkey and IEASR shall not be liable, directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any damage resulting from the use of the information contained or implied in the Pilot First Aid files.