Bacterial Meningitis

An attack of bacterial meningitis can be devastating because most of its victims are usually children or infants. The symptoms of the disease can also be misread leading to improper or inadequate treatment with fatal consequences. As risks of misdiagnosis are many, it is recommended that the services of a physician be sought as quickly as the first symptoms are noticed. Meningitis is the disease caused by the inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord (Schultz, 1991).While the cause of meningitis could be a virus, in the majority of cases it is bacterial. Bacterial meningitis is caused by several agents with the leading one being Haemophilus influenza (Schultz, 1991). Haemophilus influenzae is a type â€Å"b† strain and it is so named because when it was first discovered researchers believed that it was the cause of influenza or flu (Schultz, 1991), but scientists have since discovered that the flu is actually caused by a virus. A second cause of bacterial meningitis is Neisseria Meningitides or meningococcus (Meningitis, 2007).While this type of bacterial meningitis could affect people of different age groups, it is mostly evident during epidemics and especially in places where people live in congested or crowded environments (Meningitis, 2007). Recent attacks of meningitis that took place on crowded places are the epidemics in the slums of Brazil that killed 11,000 people in 1974 and the 1996 attacks in the Sahel region that left 16,000 people dead (Meningitis, 2007). A third cause of bacterial meningitis is Strepococcus Pneumoniae which is also known as pneumococcus.(Meningitis, 2007). This kind of bacterial meningitis is most common among adults and is noticeable by pneumococcus infections in various parts of the body (Meningitis, 2007). Such infections will be noticed in the victim’s ears or could appear as sinuses. While these are the main causes of bacterial meningitis, in some cases the disease could be cause d by an attack of tuberculosis or Lyme disease. (Meningitis, 2007). Meningitis has various characteristics depending on the age of the victim and the cause of the infection.In infants, the symptoms of a bacterial meningitis attack will normally be preceded by an attack of diarrhea, a runny nose or vomiting (Hirsch, 2007). Some of the most common symptoms of meningitis in infants are fever, irritability, headaches, photophobia or eye sensitivity to light, stiff neck and skin rashes (Hirsch, 2007). Correct diagnosis of bacterial meningitis can only be done by a doctor and the service of a professional should be sought immediately there is suspicion that a meningitis attack has taken place.This is especially because the symptoms of bacterial meningitis are non-specific. In infants and children, other symptoms that could be indicative of meningitis include nuchal rigidity, opisthotonos, convulsions and anorexia (Miller, Gaur & Kumar, 2008). Other symptoms that Miller (2008) says could b e associated with meningitis are the bulging of the fontanelle, alterations of the sensorium and in extreme cases, coma. In infants, one indication that a bacterial meningitis attack could have taken place is the sound produced when the infant is crying.When the infant cries in an eerie high-pitched voice, it is a sign that it could be suffering from bacterial meningitis (Schultz, 1991). While bacterial meningitis mainly attacks children and infants, it can also attack adults and especially the elderly. Fatalities from bacterial meningitis were common in the past but today, when medical attention is offered at the appropriate time, the fatalities are fewer and mostly happen to very young infants or the elderly (Schultz, 1991).For people above two years of age, the symptoms of bacterial meningitis will include headaches, a stiff neck and a high fever (Schoenstadt, 2008). Bacterial meningitis can be transmitted in various ways but it is not considered a highly contagious disease. The disease is spread from one person to another when there is an exchange of secretions from the throat or other respiratory secretions. (Schoenstadt, 2008). For this reason, the disease can be spread when a person comes into close contact with a victim who is coughing.Additionally, the disease will be spread through kissing although it is not spread as easily as the common cold or influenza. People who have prolonged contact with victims of bacterial meningitis will be at risk of contracting the disease especially when they are in the same house or have direct contact with the victim’s oral secretions (Schoenstadt, 2008). A wife or girlfriend risks contracting the disease from her spouse or partner and vice versa. In addition, bacterial meningitis is airborne and can be spread when one stays close to a victim who is coughing or laughing (Hirsch, 2008).Hirsch (2008) further advises that the sharing of utensils such as drinking glasses and spoons as well as the sharing of sanitar y products such as hand towels can also spread the disease. Moreover, coming into contact with the stool of an infected person can also lead to infection. This puts the children who share many facilities in day care at particularly huge risk of infection from their play mates who could be sick. Hirsch (2008), however, emphasizes that casual contact with victims does not put one at risk of contracting bacterial meningitis.Bacterial meningitis has a reputation for causing fatalities quickly and the measures taken to treat it have to be taken as quickly as possible. Schultz (1991) notes that because the disease is known to spread extremely quickly, the moment it is suspected to have infected a person, treatment with intravenous antibiotics is started immediately, even before the results of the tests carried out to test for the diseases are out. Once bacterial meningitis is confirmed, the patient will be put on medication that will normally last a week or longer.To treat bacterial menin gitis, antibiotics such as cephalosporins are used. The two best-known cephalosporins are Claforan and Rocephin. (Schultz, 1991). Since bacterial meningitis spreads quickly and also puts at risk those who are close to the patient, medication is also provided for those sharing living quarters with the patient. As a preventive measure, those close to the victim will put on a short course of the antibiotic rifampin. Apart from the possibility of fatality that is associated with bacterial meningitis, it is also known for other neurological complications (Schultz, 2008).Such complications, which could include permanent loss of hearing, convulsions and mental retardation, can ruin the life of a victim. This puts the children who suffer bacterial meningitis at very grave risks. To forestall the possibility of these complications, treatment for children includes the antibiotics and an additional corticosteroid, dexamethasone, which is administered to prevent loss of hearing (Schultz, 1991). As with all diseases, preventive measures with bacterial meningitis are more effective than the curative ones.To prevent the development of the disease, a number of vaccines have been developed for the most vulnerable group, children and infants. To guard against the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a vaccine is used (Shultz, 1991). This vaccine is known as polysaccharide and has been in use since 1985(Schultz, 1991). The vaccine has been found to be effective in children aged two years and above and for this reason it is administered as a routine vaccine to children who are two years old.In addition, two more vaccines have been developed for children. In 1987, a vaccine was developed for children 18 months and over (Schultz, 1991). This vaccine, known as â€Å"a conjugate vaccine† was found to have more efficacy than the previously used polysaccharide vaccines for children in this age group (Schultz, 1991). By 1989, the conjugate v accine had been found to be effective in children as young as 15 months and was already being administered to them.Schultz (1991) further notes that a third vaccine was developed in 1989 that could be administered to infants two months old. The development of vaccines for infants and children enables doctors to administer bacterial meningitis vaccines along with the other vaccines as part of a child’s routine immunization regimen. Today, three meningitis vaccinations are administered on an infant before he reaches six months while a fourth vaccination, also known as a booster, is administered when the child is one year old (Bacterial meningitis 2).While research into other forms of vaccines for meningitis goes on, there is a vaccine that has been developed for prevention of Stretococcal pneumoniae which has been found to be effective with adults aged above 65 years (Isom, 2005). Apart from vaccination, bacterial meningitis is preventable in many other forms. One of the easies t ways to contain an outbreak of the disease is to report suspected cases to the relevant state or health authorities to enable treatment of those who might be affected.In addition, whenever people who are not infected share premises with victims of bacterial meningitis, the former should be given antibiotics to protect them against the risk of contracting the disease from the victims (Collins, 1997). Equally important as a preventive measure is the ability to exercise proper travel precautions. While epidemics of bacterial meningitis are unlikely to occur in the US, there are regions that experience outbreaks of the disease frequently and for this reason any overseas travel should be preceded by a visit to the doctor to see if vaccination against bacterial meningitis is necessary (Bacterial meningitis 2).While the prevalence of bacterial meningitis is low in the US, epidemics of the disease have led to massive deaths in parts of Africa and Brazil. An outbreak of the disease killed about 25,000 people in West Africa in 1996 (Hewarldt, 2006). In 2005, an outbreak of bacterial meningitis spread through eleven Chinese cities killing eleven people (Emerling, 2005). The disease has a higher prevalence rate in crowded neighborhoods. In the US, the disease has a higher incidence rate amongst African American and Native American populations while among infants, boys tend to more susceptible to the disease than girls (Collins, 1997).References Bacterial meningitis 2. Department of health promotion education. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from http://www. dhpe. org/infect/Bacmeningitis. html Collins, J. (1997). Cooperation halts meningitis outbreak; leaves positive public perception. Journal of environmental health, 59(9) 20+ Emerling, G. (2005). Bacteria suspected in death of boy, 6; meningitis test results awaited. The washington times, B01 Herwaldt, L. (2006). Bacterial meningitis: When symptoms start, act fast.University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. Retrieved Febru ary 23, 2009 from http://www. uihealthcare. com/topics/medicaldepartments/internalmedicine/bacterialmeningitis/index. html Hirsch, L. (2007). Meningitis. Kidshealth for parents. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from http://kidshealth. org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis. html Isom, W. (2005). A dash to the finish: Young doctor overcomes battle with life-threatening illness. Black enterprise, 35(7), 153 Meningitis. (2007). The Columbia encyclopedia, (6).New york: Columbia university press. Miller, L. , Gaur, H. , & Kumar, A. (2008). Meningitis , bacterial. Emedicine from webmd. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/961497-overview Schoenstadt, A. (2008). Bacterial meningitis. Medtv. Updated July 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from http://meningitis. emedtv. com/bacterial-meningitis/bacterial-meningitis. html# Schultz, D. (1991). Bacterial meningitis; vaccines, antibiotics fight sometimes fatal disease. FDA Consumer, 25(7), 36+

Techniques used in Sustainable Agriculture Essay

Techniques used in Sustainable Agriculture - Essay Example The two chapters below discuss two techniques applicable in sustainable farming; Crop Rotation – it is the mechanism of growing crops in succession within the same field. Currently, it is subject to regard as the most powerful technique of sustaining agriculture, as it helps in avoiding most of the unintended consequences related to putting the same plants in the same soil year in year out. The technique is a key element of both permanent and effective solution to the pest problems. This is because many pasts seem to have preferences for the specific crops, and when there is continuous growth of the same crop, it will guarantee such pasts of the steady food supply, thus increasing on their populations. In this regard, rotation will help at reducing past pressure on all kinds of crops through breaking on the pest reproductive cycles. Through the same farming technique, farmers may plant crops like soybeans and other legumes, which have the capacity of replenishing plant nutrients, thus reducing on the need of utilizing chemical fertilizers. Cover Crops – It is a farming technique whereby a particular crop is planted for the intention of managing the soil. Through this farming technique, farmers have the opportunity of taking the advantage presented by the benefits of having plants growing in the soil at all times, as compared to the option of leaving the ground bare in-between cropping periods. The type of cover crops may include hairy vetch, clovers, or the oats. Plating of such crops helps farmers into achieving the basic goals of preventing soil erosion, suppressing the weeds, and enhancing the soil quality. Employing the use of this sustainable farming technique is worth the extra effort since it helps in reducing the needs for the various chemical inputs, such as herbicides, insecticides, and

Young Alumni Trustee, Senior Class Gift, and Bryant Senior Advisory Essay

Young Alumni Trustee, Senior Class Gift, and Bryant Senior Advisory Council - Essay Example Finally, in September 2006 the Young Alumni Trustee was named but the reorganization had left the members of the Senior Class Gift Committee with no clear responsibility The Young Alumni Trustee is a position on the Board of Trustees that is granted to a graduating senior each year. The successful program had been in effect since 1996 and each member that is awarded the position serves a three-year term. By April 2006, the selection committee had settled on two finalists, Cathleen Doan and Brian Levin. The winner was to be announced at commencement ceremonies on May 20. On April 25, 2006, students received an e-mail re-opening the application process and encouraging students to reapply. The selection committee justified their actions based on low student interest and lack of diversity among the applicants. Doan and Levin were still considered finalists, but Laurie Musgrove, Vice President of University Advancement, said they were seeing if "other students should be joining them as finalists". Robin Warde, Interim Director of Alumni Relations, said the concern was the small number of original student applicants. Warde noted that only 5 members of the class of 661 had been interviewed and said, "something different needed to be done". Doan and Levin resigned their position as finalists in protest of the move to reopen the process. In a letter to the administration announcing their withdrawal they noted that, "we are questioned, not on our merit, but on our diversity". While no one on the campus discounted the need for diversity, committee member Michael Oliveri supported Doan and Levin and contended, "we feel it inappropriate at this point in the process to be forcing it in". He felt the changes should have been made in the following year. It was apparent that the board had been remiss in addressing this problem sooner. According to Warde, they had been concerned over lack of participation in previous years. Musgrove and Warde, however, waited until the finalists had been selected to make the last minute changes. Musgrove had some misgivings and expressed the "wish that timing could be different". She continued to encourage Doan and Levin to stay in the process and viewed their withdrawal with "disappointment and dismay". Doan and Levin stated that the controversial process was a, "blatant contradiction to the values, like character, and ethics that the institution stresses to the students in all aspects of the Bryant experience and community". They also made it clear that they would support whatever candidate that was appointed to the important position and asked only that the Young Alumni Trustee recognize the injustice and commit to questioning poorly made top down decisions. Their hope is that they can prevent this situation from occurring in the future. Before commencement ceremonies, the Board of Trustees took control of the nominating process after overriding the previous decisions made by the nominating board. President Ronald Machtley and BOT Chairman Thomas Taylor headed the new selection committee. No winner was announced at that time. In September 2006, the Bryant University Board of Trustees (BOT) named Saddi Williams as the 2006 Young Alumnus Trustee at their annual meeting during Homecoming Weekend. The BOT also established the Bryant Senior Advisory Council (BSA), a 30 member

INTERCULTURAL Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

INTERCULTURAL - Essay Example Rules of Social Interaction The rules of interaction among the deaf include maintaining eye contact in order for effective communication. The deaf usually use attention getting mechanisms such as turning the lights on and off, stamping on the floor, tapping on the shoulder, or waving. It is important to hug when greeting or leaving. Pointing to give direction is polite among the deaf. It is important to touch during communication. It is also not important to say â€Å"excuse me† when passing between people using the sign language (Lane, 2005). Language The deaf usually communicate using the sign language. This is a visual-gesture language. It encompasses movement, placement, and expression of body and language. Sign language represents the language among the deaf community. This is a complete language that is able to express humor, emotion, and abstract thoughts. The language has its own language principles and grammatical structure. Whiteness Culture Whiteness culture treats those of the white color as more superior than the others. Racism lies at the heart of that culture. Segregation and discrimination is common among the people of this culture (Warren, 1999). This is normally towards the people who are not of the white origin. Those who ascribe to the whiteness culture do not freely inter mingle with those of other races. They greatly value their race and language. They have racial pride and see others as underdogs. They are conservative and do not freely interact with people of other races. They believe that they should not attend similar institutions as other races. This has led many people especially in America to be discriminated. However, with the advancement of the human rights all races are seen to be equal. Therefore, they are entitled to similar rights and privileges. This culture is slowly fading in America and all citizens are seen as Americans and not as white, Mexican or black. They attend similar institutions where there is free inter r acial interaction. Language Most of the people who subscribe to this culture use a variety of languages in communication; the main ones include English, Germany, Spanish and French. Chinese Culture While there are differences in terms of economic, social and political dimensions between different people of Chinese origin, there are certain core cultural values that are common to all Chinese people. These values are unique and consistently held together by several years and similar language. There is only a single set of core values in China that distinguish their culture from western cultures and Eastern cultures. The Chinese culture has three major element; communist ideology, western values and traditional culture. The traditional culture is diverse and includes several schools of thought such as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and religious cultures (Fan, 2000). Confucianism forms the foundation of the Chinese tradition. In this case rules are outlined of the social behavior of e ach individual, governing all the interactions in the society. There are five virtues outlined here faithfulness, propriety, righteousness, humanity and wisdom. There are several values and rules of interaction in Chinese culture. Some of them include bearing hardship, governing should be done by leaders rather than the law, egalitarianism /equality, people being naturally good, veneration for the old in the

Fundamental Finance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fundamental Finance - Research Paper Example Significantly, its financial policy in the funding of its expansion in operational capacity is sound. It has a mix variety of funding sources: (a) from cash from operations, (b) long-term debt instruments, and (c) increase in paid up capital. The growth of revenues and consequently the net income is the result of the company's expansion on its investment on revenue producing assets which are the container vessels and dry-bulk carriers. With 20 vessels, including those under construction in 2006 it had grown to 33 vessels. The revenues increased by 37% in 2007 over 2006, and net income increase of 40% over the preceding year. Moneywise, the investment on property and equipment on vessels alone was $244,684 million in 2007 against $131,720 million in 2006, or an increase in investment totalling $112,974 million. The company had been financing from the same mix of sources. However, since it was listed in the London Stock Exchange it was able to raise larger amounts of funds. Table below is a summary of the funding source and the changes over the last two years: Prior to its listing the company had been funding its operations mostly from cash generated by operations and to a small extent long-term debt. However, in recent years Goldenport Holdings, Inc. has availed more on both the sale of its shares and much larger issuance of long-term debt instrument. ... However, in recent years Goldenport Holdings, Inc. has availed more on both the sale of its shares and much larger issuance of long-term debt instrument. Below is a table showing the relationship of debt and equity and the gearing ratio: (in US$) In US$ 2007 2006 Total debt 193,001,000 93,961,000 Total equity 181,442,000149,528,000 Debt/equity 1.06/1 0.63 /1 The company increased its debt in 2007 to further finance the acquisition/construction of vessels. In 2006 the company had a favourable debt to equity ratio of $.063 debt for every $ of equity. However, in 2007 as a result of additional borrowings the debt to equity ratio or gearing ratio has deteriorated to $1.06 debt to $1 of equity. In a sense, the company went into trading on the equity. The gearing ratio in 2006 was favourable to the firm because it was on that year that it was listed on the Exchange, and has raised funds on this IPO in the amount of $115,465,000. The company has a policy to declare dividends equivalent to 50% of net income during the year, and retained the balance for reinvestment on property and equipment, more particularly its marine fleet of containers and dry-bulk cargo. However, in 2007 the Board decided to declare dividends equivalent to 52% payout on the its net income for the year. This means a lesser retention of income for reinvestment. Dividends The company has a policy to declare dividends equivalent to 50% of net income for the year. However, for the year ended 2007 the company declared 52% of the net come, or an increase of 4% over the preceding year. This policy had twin objectives. It improved its dividend image with its current and potential

Anthroplogy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anthroplogy - Essay Example There was occasional flooding occasioned by the melting glaciers. Most of the mountains in Idaho still have evidence of these Pleistocene glaciers (Digital Geology of Idaho 1). During this period, many animals roamed the plains and mountains of Idaho. Animals such as mammoth, giant sloths, and Smilodon amongst others roamed the earth. My favorite animal that roamed the world during this time was the mammoth. From the remains I saw at the Museum, the mammoth seemed such a huge animal. It is its mere sight that fascinates me more than scares me. All of these mammoths lived and died during the ice age (IMNH 1). As far as diet is concerned, the mammoth fed on grass, bushes, and sedges. Other foods that the mammoth ate included blue spruce, cactus and fruits amongst others. This implies that the Pleistocene period in Idaho was marked by rich vegetation since the mammoth also browsed. Another factor that makes me conclude that the Pleistocene period was marked by rich vegetation is the fact that the mammoth was much bigger than the present elephant yet it survived. In terms of physical appearance, the mammoth also had long tusks as the modern elephant. It must h ave been furry to that it adapted to extreme cold temperatures when the cold season and glaciers swept down the lowlands. However, it later became extinct due to reduced food availability and the ice age that greatly reduced its food sources. Human activity during this age was just beginning to take shape. The fact that this period was also marked by warm temperatures during certain seasons explains the origin of the early man. Archeological evidence point to the fact that man lived during this age and later migrated out of Africa. The early man during this period was the Neanderthal man, whom is said to have evolved after the Home erectus man. The early man had attained an upright posture during this time. He hunted wild animals, gathered food and learned how to make fire. Essentially, culture

Technology Does Wonderful Things For People But It Also Enables Them Research Paper

Technology Does Wonderful Things For People But It Also Enables Them to Isolate Themselves - Research Paper Example Although technology has helped in the development of the world, the recent arguments accused technology to impose certain ill-effects by isolating people restricting them to socialize. The arguments have mostly been concentrated on the grounds that people get socially isolated owing to their favoritism of game consoles or their experiences of internet bullying (â€Å"How Technology Affects Us†). Thesis Statement The discussion would emphasize on the development of technology and correspondingly on its role in causing social isolation. Stating precisely, the objective of the essay would be to evaluate the reality behind accusing technology to cause isolation among individuals in the current day context. Thus, the discussion henceforth will attempt to analyze the various advantages and limitations of technology which especially concentrates on its functions as a means of communication and a driver of globalization. Discussion Social isolation is referred to the act of developing a gap or distance between an individual and their belonging community which further results in lessened interaction of people with their surroundings. In the modern phenomenon, one frequently attributed reason for social isolation, especially among teenagers has been indicated towards the ill-effects of rapidly increasing influence of technology on modern lifestyles. It has been thus argued that people are getting immensely attached to game consoles as well as social networking sites which cause a negative impact on the society in terms of isolating individuals by limiting their reasons to interact with the outer world (Biordi & Nicholson 68-115). Conversely, from a generalized perspective, the advancement of technology has been signified to facilitate better interaction of communities throughout the world involving web services as well as mobile phones. For instance, the numerous social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, Linkedin, MySpace and Spoke are immense ly popular among people today. These sites are mainly used with the purpose of interacting with people anywhere in the world which apparently presents an opposing perspective towards the criticism of technology acting as a causing factor of social isolation (â€Å"Social Networking Sites; More Harm than Good?†). However, stating for or in favor of the argued statement, human beings are revealed to get immensely attached to televisions and game consoles which restricts them from socializing within the community and their surroundings. Today, people are getting hugely immersed with technological gadgets which cause a negative impact on the socializing activities of individuals. For instance, technology advancements as video games have immensely affected the young generation as well as adults being increasingly preferred as relaxation activities by people. It is in this context that recent researches reveal playing video games continuously as well as deciphering excessive depend ence on it may cause an individual to minimize interaction with their surroundings. Hence, in a way, playing excessive video games may isolate an individual from the society. It may also develop an unfavorable affect on the behavior of an individual as many games may be designed with the inclusion of violent contents. Apart from isolating