MeningitisMeningitis is a disease that attacks the meninges. It travels around the body to reach these protective layers. It therefore lives in the cerebrospinal fluid. It then attacks the body's phages, putting stress on the brain. Not only do bacteria attack the body, but stress causes a variety of conditions, most of which are linked to hearing deficiencies. Meningitis attacks many different parts of the world both in the distant past and in recent years. The most common location for the four epidemic serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis to attack is the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa. Meningitis is a well-known disease among people; however, there are many confusing aspects about it. Many people don't truly understand what meningitis is, what it does, or how it causes so many devastating symptoms. For most people, meningitis is that disease that occurs from time to time in young children or the elderly. However, what many do not know is that meningitis causes epidemics. There is at least one epidemic every few years somewhere in the world. Meningitis is a very dangerous disease that has been followed and studied for years to understand these aspects. It's about time the public learned about meningitis, and essays like these are the way to get informed. The bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis have a rather specific method by which they attack the human body. They need to find a way to penetrate the meninges, which are the protective layers between the brain and skull. They include the pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater. Bacteria and/or viruses enter the bloodstream throughout the body (“Neuropathology” 6). Through complex interactions with endothelial cells, they travel to the center of paper every year around the world, but especially in the meningitis belt of Africa. With all these cases of meningitis going around, it is quite contagious and very deadly. With this knowledge, the public can better protect themselves from this dangerous disease and hopefully eradicate it in the near future.6Bibliography“Chapter Five: Infections of the Nervous System.” January 2007. Neuropathology. July 20, 2008.Cunha, Burke A. The diagnosis and therapy of acute bacterial meningitis. Ed. Schlossberg, David. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1990. “Infections: Meningitis.” September 2007. Hirsch, Larissa, MD July 13, 2008. “Meningococcal Meningitis.” May 2003. World Health Organization. July 13th 2008.