$Unique_ID{BRK01279}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites, Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{Is it Possible That Meningitis is an Inherited Condition?}
$Subject{meningitis inheritance causes}
$Volume{A-1, F-1}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is it Possible That Meningitis is an Inherited Condition?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I often think back to the death of my sister at an early age from
meningitis, and wonder if the same fate still awaits me.  Though I am no
longer a child, I am concerned that I may soon show this disease.  Is it
possible that meningitis is an inherited condition?  Could you please discuss
this for me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Stop worrying.  You are never going to suffer from meningitis merely
because your sister died of it years ago.  Certain forms of meningitis, and
there are many, are highly contagious.  Historically, there have been dreadful
meningitis epidemics, but be assured that it never is a hereditary disease.
Different forms of relatively common meningitis can be caused either by
viruses or bacteria.  The word meningitis means an inflammation of the
meninges (the three membranes that envelop a person's brain and spinal cord).
     Make no mistake about it; meningitis, which occurs in this country mainly
during winter, spring and autumn, always is an extremely dangerous and, very
frequently, a life-threatening infection, as are its possible after effects.
     The disease is particularly serious and potentially deadly in the very
old and the very young, and in patients who have another disease at the time
they develop meningitis.  Most commonly seen in children under the age of one,
it may be even more serious in adults, especially those over 50 years old, for
statistics reveal that when adults contract meningitis, 20 to 70 percent of
them probably will die, even though they may be treated with effective, modern
medicines.  Therefore, when symptoms of the disease appear, treatment must be
initiated as soon as possible.
     Even with today's highly developed medical techniques, physicians still
experience some difficulty in diagnosing meningitis.  On the other hand,
medical treatment for the many different types of meningitis are most
frequently quite effective.  Several forms of newly developed, so-called
"super antibiotics" or as some call them, the "super anti-infectives"
(including the third-generation cephalosporins), are administered, usually
with impressive cure rates.  To be safe, as soon as the disease is suspected,
yes, even before diagnosis is complete, many doctors start a patient on
antibiotics often as a protective or prophylactic measure.  While I never want
to frighten anyone, I would be remiss not to tell you that neurologic damages
may occur in about 20 percent of all patients who have been cured of
meningitis itself.  Among the most frequently experienced effects are varying
degrees of mental retardation, seizures, and noticeable defects in the ability
to hear, taste, smell, as well as other sensory activities.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
