1. By: Sam Harris and Karthik Kartha

2. It is a Bacterial infection. Inflammation of the meninges. Caused by: Neisseria Meningitidis Haemophilus Influenzae Streptococcus Pneumoniae

3. First discovered in 1805 in Switzerland 4,100 people died between 1854-1861 in Sweden Neisseria Meningitidis was discovered in 1887 First antibiotics used against it in the 1930s Caused death rate to drop Penicillian first used in the 1940s against it

4. Fever Nausea Vomiting Sleepiness Headache Back pain Muscle aches Confusion

5. People of all ages are vulnerable Most adult victims recover quickly Children are more at risk People with immune system conditions are at greater risk People undergoing chemotherapy contract it very easily Also infects people with sickle cell, lack of a spleen, or lack infection fighting proteins

6. Spread through exchange of respiratory or throat secretions Not usually spread through casual contact Microbes pass thru bloodstream and are carried to the brain

7. Main research organization: Meningitis Research Foundation Established in UK Value of vital research is 16.5 million £ New vaccine developed in Chile Protects from four strands of Bacterial Meningitis

8. Bacterial Meningitis breakout on October 19, 2012 Originated form a drug called Exserohilum Found in Massachusetts Killed 21 people Spread from 45 infected patients to 271 in one day Caused peripheral joint infection in majority of patients

9. "Bacterial Meningitis." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Staff, CNN Wire. "FDA: Vials Contain Fungus Linked to Meningitis Outbreak." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. "Research." Research. Ed. Meningitis Research Foundation. Meningitis Research Foundation, 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Routh, Kristina. Meningitis. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library, 2004. Print. Harris, Anthony D. "Meningitis." World Book. 2012 ed. N.d. Print.