Synopsis
Each year a few thousand Americans contract a disease called meningitis, an infection of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis often strikes children, teens, and young adults and can cause serious permanent problems, such as brain damage or deafness. Even with medical care, some forms of meningitis are deadly. Through real-life case studies and information from experts, this book provides the tools young people need to help protect themselves and their family and friends from this serious disease.
Children's Literature
Meningitis is a serious disease that I have never fully understood until I read this book. When a disease can appear as a bad headache and kill in a day, it is definitely something to be taken seriously. This disease was described as early as the Middle Ages and has affected people such as Oscar Wilde, Goya, and Helen Keller. The book starts with thorough tutorial of the brain, bacteria, and viruses, leading the reader to understanding of the disease, including the reasons more children and young people are affected by meningitis. There are beautiful descriptions of cell vesicles, antibody actions, and the septicemia assault on the body. Great analogies for understanding are found throughout the book. I take umbrage with the comment that "Amoebas are the most primitive animals," since Amoebas are Protists, not animals, but perhaps this was to aid in a young person's understanding. The best way to sneeze is described. How vaccines work and are needed are explained. The book has an explanation of the diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis of meningitis. This book should be found in school and hospital libraries for any student doing research on meningitis or for parents who have a child with meningitis. Reviewer: RevaBeth Russell