Meningitis: North America v. Sub Saharan Africa Meningitis is a horrible bacterial or viral infection of the central nervous system. The sheer level of damage this infection can cause is enough to send fear down the bravest spine. However, as terrible as this infection is at home, in North America, I wanted to research and compare how well or poorly controlled this infection is in a less developed country, Sub Saharan Africa. My essay will include the causative agent and symptoms of meningitis, as well as characteristics of the victims suffering from this infection, comparing the similarities and differences of the two countries treatment methods, and the measures taken by both countries to prevent meningitis. Before the headaches, inflammation, and possible death of the infected victim we have Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophylus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitides, the big three of meningitis. These three species of bacteria are the causative agents behind the majority of diagnosed meningitis cases worldwide. Particularly Neisseria meningitides has the highest potential to cause an epidemic outbreak in Sub Saharan Africa, also reported as twenty five percent of all meningitis cases in North America. The beginning onset symptoms of meningitis include fever, inflamed cranial and spinal meninges, stiff neck, vomiting, headaches, confusion, and sensitivity to light. If not treated as an emergency the risk of death increases, every hour more irreversible damage is being done that may result in brain damage or hearing loss, with death of the infected persons 24 to 48 hours after initial symptoms. Meningitis is a quickly progressive disease of the nervous system that attacks the meninges, but to whose meninges do the bacteria attack? In both North America and Sub Saharan Africa young people make up majority of the cases, ages 29 and below, however for two completely different socio-economic reasons. In North America ages 16 to 21 are more likely to become infected through kissing, sharing eating utensils, and living in close quarters with peers (i.e. dormitory, apartments, housing, etc.). In sub Saharan Africa the highest risk of meningococcal disease occurs in an area of known as the meningitis belt, a stretch of land that covers from Ethiopia to Senegal. Similar to the flu season in North America, Africa has a meningitis season from December to June, a time of dry winds and cold nights. With over crowded housing, a large population, pilgrimages, and traditional forms of markets, along with the weather, the transmission of Neisseria meningitides becomes extremely easy. Unfortunately all ages 1 to 29 are at risk in Africa, caused by several reasons like, mothers carrying babies to the markets and all extended family living together, there is not an age group within the range of ages that are at higher risk. Prior to my research I assumed that due to Africa’s less developed economy, technology, and available resources when compared to North America’s, the treatment methods would have few similarities. However, in both regions of the world treatment of this infection is uniformly standard, whether in North America or Africa admission to the hospital is necessary for treatment, at the same time the level of access to a hospital may vary by region. After arriving two courses of action is guaranteed, first that a lumbar puncture will be carried out, this is when doctors draw fluid from the spine to test, and grow the specific bacteria causing the infection. Next, the doctors will begin the appropriate antibiotic treatment.