Research Paper on:
Discussion of Bacterial Meningitis

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
availability that act synergistically to create one of the most prominent global populations where the disease can be found. II. PATHOLOGY Bacterial meningitis attacks an individuals spinal cord by  way of infection (Centers for Disease Control, 2003; Papasian et al, 1997). Clinical signs include headache, stiff neck, high fever, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion and sluggishness that last  anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, ultimately leading to seizures (Centers for Disease Control, 2003; Herf et al, 1998; Chiocca, 1997). The African population is not  privy to the benefits of early diagnosis, inasmuch as the preventive nature of health care in developing countries is wholly inadequate (Berkley et al, 2001), thereby making treatment efforts a  moot point until the disease has progressed to such an extent that the patient has been clinical for quite some time. Experts contend  that vaccines have the capability of completely forestalling an epidemic of all three strains known to attack man; however, the economic impediments inherent to obtaining such preventive measures have all  but prohibited African countries from receiving such benefits. Since becoming highly resistant to several strains of other airborne infectious diseases over the past three decades (Freeman, 1997), the idea  of one vaccine to address three strains of meningitis is nothing short of phenomenal. Said Dr. Daniel Tarantols, WHO director of vaccines and biologicals, "Countries in Africa have no  choice but to respond to epidemics of meningitis...We must help them to protect their children against a disease that cripples and kills" (Anonymous, 2002, p. 19). III. NURSING ASSESSMENT,  DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTION Nursing plays an integral role in the overall development and application of standards of care, the transmission of scientific and humanistic