Preventing and treating meningococcal meningitis.

Meningitis is a bacterial or viral inflammation of the meninges. Three thousand cases are reported each year with a mortality rate of 5% to 40%. Socioeconomic factors play a role in meningitis and may affect the speed of diagnosis and subsequent initiation of treatment. Transmission and pathogenesis of the disease enables nurses to recognize signs and symptoms and implement treatment and prevention strategies.