This article is about the diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. It discusses the different and most effective ways to diagnose meningitis, such as lumbar puncture, blood cultures, computed tomography, and electronic resonance imaging. Evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid is the key element in diagnosing meningitis. This article also points out that it is important to start therapies as soon as possible while waiting for the scan results, blood cultures, and lumbar puncture. It is suggested to start antimicrobial therapy or concomitant dexamethasone based on the patient’s history and physical exam, and what type of meningitis is suspected. It is extremely important to determine whether the meningitis is bacterial or aseptic, because bacterial meningitis is life threatening. The mortality rate in adults with bacterial meningitis in developed countries is 21 percent, and in children it is 3 percent. (Bamberger, 2010) In this article we are given a rundown of the common symptoms of bacterial meningitis such as fever, neck stiffness, nausea, headache, altered mental status, seizure, and papilledema. It also states that there are conjugate vaccines available to help with prevention of bacterial meningitis. These include meningococcal, pneumococcal, and H. influenzae vaccines. This article was educational for me because it gives you information that is important to know about meningitis that most people may not know. I now know what signs to look for in my children if they were to ever contract meningitis.
The implications that this article has for health care professionals are simply stated as being time is of the essence. Health care professionals understand that precautions need to be taken to help prevent the spread of these diseases when working with patients that potentially have meningitis. These precautions are in place to help protect themselves and other patients. Health care professionals need to work together diligently to ensure that their patients are receiving the most adequate and proper care to help save their lives and possibly prevent future problems that can be caused by meningitis. This article can assist all health care professionals by informing them of the facts about meningitis, and what should be done to help diagnose, treat, and prevent this potential deadly infection in a timely manner.

References
Bamberger, D. M. (2010). Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. American Family Physician, 82(12), 1491.
Turley, S. (2011). Medical Language: Immerse yourself (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.