Spot Dictation

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that (1) ____________ the brain and the spinal cord. Most cases are caused by a virus or bacteria.

Common signs of meningitis include high body temperature, (2) __________ and neckpain. Also, people may be sleepy and not able to think clearly. (3) __________babies with meningitis may not eat; they may have little energy or cry continually. Meningitis can also cause vomiting and (4 ) __________ in both children and adults.

Meningitiscan spread when a person coughs or sneezes. And it can spread through kissing.(5) ___________ living conditions may also increase the spread of meningitis.Signs of the disease usually (6) __________ within two to ten days of infection.

Testson a small amount of (7) __________ taken from the spinal cord can show if theinfection is viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with (8)__________ drugs. Experts say it is important to begin treatment as early as possible.

Medical experts say people with viral meningitis generally get better within about tendays. Bacterial meningitis is (9) __________ and more serious. It may causebrain damage, hearing loss or, in some cases, death.

Vaccinescan (10) __________ against some of the most common bacteria that cause meningitis. 

Around the world, different kinds of bacteria cause different forms of meningitis. The highest infection (11) __________ are in southern Africa in countries including Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia and Niger. These countries are part of what isknown as the "African meningitis (12) __________," from Senegal inthe west to Ethiopia in the east.

Spot Dictation

Meningitisis an infection of the fluid that (1) surrounds the brain and the spinalcord. Most cases are caused by a virus or bacteria.

Commonsigns of meningitis include high body temperature, (2) __headache__ and neckpain. Also, people may be sleepy and not able to think clearly. (3) _Newborn_babies with meningitis may not eat; they may have little energy or crycontinually. Meningitis can also cause vomiting and (4 ) _seizures_ in bothchildren and adults.•Meningitiscan spread when a person coughs or sneezes. And it can spread through kissing.(5) Crowded_ living conditions may also increase the spread of meningitis.Signs of the disease usually (6) _appear_ within two to ten days ofinfection.

Testson a small amount of (7) fluid_ taken from the spinal cord can show if theinfection is viral or bacterial. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with (8)_antibiotic drugs. Experts say it is important to begin treatment as early aspossible.•Medicalexperts say people with viral meningitis generally get better within about tendays. Bacterial meningitis is (9) _rare_ and more serious. It may causebrain damage, hearing loss or, in some cases, death.•Vaccinescan (10) _protect_ against some of the most common bacteria that causemeningitis. 

Aroundthe world, different kinds of bacteria cause different forms of meningitis. Thehighest infection (11) _rates_ are in southern Africa in countries includingBurkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia and Niger. These countries are part of what isknown as the "African meningitis (12) _belt_," from Senegal inthe west to Ethiopia in the east.