An Overview Of Meningitis

An Overview Of Meningitis Meningitis is swelling and inflammation of the protective membranes that cover brain and spinal cord. Depending on the duration of symptoms, meningitis may be classified as acute or chronic. Acute meningitis denotes the evolution of symptoms within hours to several days, while chronic meningitis has an onset and duration of weeks to months. Meningitis is mainly caused by infection with viruses, several different types of bacteria, or sometimes by a fungus, and less commonly by certain drugs. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation’s proximity to the brain and spinal cord. All types of meningitis tend to cause symptoms that include fever, headache and stiff neck. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ depending on the cause. Viral meningitis, the most common form of meningitis, is less severe than bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is usually more serious than viral meningitis and is sometimes fatal, particularly in infants and the elderly. Bacterial meningitis is a major cause of death and disability world-wide. [1] b. The etiology and risk factors Meningitis is usually caused by infection from viruses or micro-organisms. Most cases are due to infection with viruses, with bacteria, fungi, and parasites being the next most common causes. It may also result from various non-infectious causes. The etiology of bacterial meningitis varies by age group and region of the world. Worldwide, without epidemics one million cases of bacterial meningitis are estimated to occur and 200,000 of these die annually. [1] Before antibiotics were widely used, 70 percent or more of bacterial meningitis cases were fatal; with antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate has dropped to 15 percent or less. Bacterial meningitis is most common in the winter and spring. Beyond the perinatal period, three organisms, transmitted from person to person through the excha nge of respiratory secretions, are responsible for most cases of bacterial meningitis: Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (meningococcal disease) can be fatal and should always be viewed as a medical emergency. About 10% of infected people die from the disease. [5] In non-fatal cases, those affected experience long-term disabilities, such as brain damage, loss of limb, or deafness. Preventing the disease through the use of meningococcal vaccine is important. Although anyone can get meningitis, pre-teens and adolescents, college freshmen who live in dormitories and travelers to countries where meningitis is always present are at an increased risk for meningococcal disease. Before the availability of effective vaccines, bacterial meningitis was most commonly diagnosed in young children. Now, as a result of the protection offered by current childhood vaccines, bacterial meningitis is more commonly diagnosed among pre-teens and young adults. As children reach their pre-teen and adolescent years, protection provided by some childhood vaccines can begin to wear off. As a result, pre-teens and adolescents are at a greater risk for catching certain diseases. Introducing vaccinations during the pre-teen years increases the level of protection during adolescence. College freshmen, especially those who live in dormitories, are at a slightly increased risk for bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (meningococcal disease) compared with other persons of the same age. vaccination against bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (meningococcal disease) is recommended to persons who travel to or reside in countries in which the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is hyperendemic or epidemic, particularly if contact with the local population will be prolonged.

Overpopulation in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Overpopulation in America - Essay Example He noted that without farming, the world population could probably not have reached half a million by now. The population of the world is expected to have a significant increase by the year 2050. This is pegged on the increased or advanced medical services, also the remarkable increase on agricultural productivity. By the year 2050, the world population is expected to reach over 7.8 billion among the underdeveloped countries, from its current figure of approximately 5.3. On the other hand, populations recorded in developed countries are expected to remain constant or to have a marginal increase of about 1.2 billion people. In particular, the population of the United States is expected to increase by 44 percent, differing from its 2008 projection of three hundred and five million to four hundred and thirty nine million people by the year 2050; therefore, it means that American will be overpopulated by the year 2050. Ironically, since the year 1970, American women enjoyed an average ra te of birth that was at 2.03 children per year. This preceded the1960s great â€Å"Zero Population Growth† (Zuckerman 45). During periods of 1960s, America was under populated or in other words it had a low population, a situation that swayed the Congress into formulating a bill in the year 1965, which allowed or facilitated immigrants into the United States. The 1965 immigration bill, oversaw the influx of numerous immigrants into the United States (Anchel 14). Since its inception, the immigration bill is still in full operation today. Within a timeframe of forty years, the immigration bill, had added one hundred million people to America’s population. It is true that America is adding about hundred thousand immigrants after every thirty days to its population without a pause. The monthly influx of immigrants for decades results to millions of immigrants becoming Americans. Therefore, it is apparent that the overwhelming American population is highly constituted by im migrants (Fielden 20). As America is grappled with accelerating its environment, its citizen’s quality of life, issues of boated cities, and among other issues such as water and energy, some of its laws or bills are busy adding more millions of people in the country (Anchel 94). Notably, the program of adding more people in population lack contingency plans, which would counter the problem of America’s population exceeding its optimum capacity. In fact, America’s population is at its optimum level. Dr. Albert Bartlett from University of Colorado once posed a question asking people to conceptualize a problem ranging from scales of microscopic going up to global. He continued the question by adding that the problem’s long term remedy empirically advanced, propelled and assisted by the increased population capacities on the levels of local, state, national or global. This outcry is showing the scholars are already worried of the current population trend in t he United States (Solomon 214). It seems that the underlying current and future effects of over population have not only been a problem among the scholars, but the issue is also of great concern among different groups. However, the issue is not lingering in the minds of the political leaders (Wooldridge 1). Contrary to politicians, the issue is of great concern to most media outlets in particular top newspapers, which include the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal, Dallas

Toyota Material Handling Australia Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Toyota Material Handling Australia - Case Study Example Objective assessment techniques significantly improve a company's ability to make correct decisions and manage the risks involved. A case study on Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) is the organisation in focus that implemented the mentioned best practice in recruitment, development and promotion. The company has benefited much from objective assessment approach. It has reduced recruitment time, reduced selection cost, cut the hire cycle time, and recruited higher quality staff. The level of employee satisfaction has improved and the cultural differences has been resolved; the credit goes to the systematic and structured integration strategy that the company has planned and effectively implemented. Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) is a major supplier of the widest range of forklifts and electric warehouse products in the region. The Toyota brand has gained market leadership since 1987. In 2005, TMHA was formed from the integration of BT Industries which was acquired in 2000. Today, the Australian operations represent approximately $300 million in turnover with over 690 staff across the country. The integration of BT Industries became a great challenge for the company. The merging of the sales team of both Toyota and BT developed into an obstacle for the organisation due to the difference in products and cultures of the two companies. BT industries sold battery-electric warehouse equipments while Toyota was in the business of engine powered trucks. The sales methodologies of both companies were different. BT was a new player to the market in Australia while Toyota has been a key player for over 40 years. The sales culture of Toyota has been tried and tested. It has withstood obstacles in order to consistently achieve market leadership. It is the core competence of Toyota which the management aimed at integrating in the new organisation. In order to address the issue on culture clash and improve the performance of the newly merged sales teams, TMHA employed the services of an external training and development provider, strategically branded as Objective Assessment Pty Ltd. The service provider performed diagnostic analysis on the capability and growth potential of the sales management. They then assisted in the development of the stability of the sale teams. TMHA together with Objective Assessment implemented sales recruitment and assessment strategies. As a result of the new sales recruitment and assessment process, TMHA has discovered great assets from within the company and come across new yet stronger sales recruits and talents. Consequently, the new process benefited the company through saving time in selection and providing stability in their sale teams. Furthermore, TMHA has overcome their cultural dilemmas and improved the team's performance. Discussion The fundamental role of strategic human resource management is about matching human resources to the strategic and operational needs of the organisation and ensuring the full utilisation of these resources (Armstrong, 2006, p. 359). It is concerned with obtaining and keeping the number and quality of staff required as well as selecting and promoting people who fit the culture and the strategic requirements of the organisation. (Gunnigle & Moore, 1994, p. 65) Human resource strategy has come to play a vital role in enhancing an organisation's competitive advantage. Companies realise the importance of