AFRICAN MENINGITIS Meaning and
Definition
-
African meningitis refers to a specific form of meningitis that primarily affects the sub-Saharan region of Africa, known as the "meningitis belt." Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) that encase the brain and spinal cord, typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection. However, African meningitis is commonly caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that leads to epidemic outbreaks in this region.
Symptoms of African meningitis include a sudden onset of severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, confusion, sensitivity to light, and in some cases, a characteristic rash. The disease can progress rapidly, leading to complications like seizures, hearing loss, brain damage, or even death.
Due to the high population density, communal lifestyle, and scarce healthcare resources in the meningitis belt, African meningitis outbreaks are of great concern. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals, particularly in overcrowded environments.
Prevention and control measures include vaccination programs, early case detection, prompt administration of antibiotics, and improving general hygiene practices. The introduction of the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac) has been instrumental in reducing the burden of African meningitis.
Efforts by international health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and local governments, are crucial in conducting surveillance, providing medical supplies, and raising awareness about African meningitis to minimize its impact on the affected communities.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AFRICAN MENINGITIS
- zfrican meningitis
- sfrican meningitis
- wfrican meningitis
- qfrican meningitis
- adrican meningitis
- acrican meningitis
- avrican meningitis
- agrican meningitis
- atrican meningitis
- arrican meningitis
- afeican meningitis
- afdican meningitis
- affican meningitis
- aftican meningitis
- af5ican meningitis
- af4ican meningitis
- afrucan meningitis
- afrjcan meningitis
- afrkcan meningitis
- afrocan meningitis
Etymology of AFRICAN MENINGITIS
The word "African meningitis" combines the terms "African" and "meningitis" to describe a specific type of meningitis that is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African" refers to the continent of Africa, which is named after the Roman General Scipio Africanus. The Romans used the term "Africa" to refer to the northern part of the continent, which corresponds to modern-day Tunisia. Over time, the term "Africa" expanded to encompass the entire continent. "Meningitis" is derived from the Greek word "meninx", meaning "membrane", and the suffix "-itis", denoting inflammation. Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and can result in severe illness or even death if left untreated.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
