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Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
73 words
- Cryptococcal meningitis is a serious fungal disease in Africa.
- It often affects people who also have HIV.
- The disease causes long, painful headaches and high fever.
- Later patients may faint, have seizures or become confused.
- Some people lose their sight after the illness.
- Doctors use lumbar punctures to lower pressure in the skull.
- Many treatments exist but are expensive or hard to give.
- A trial in Lilongwe tests an easier flucytosine medicine form.
Difficult words
- cryptococcal meningitis — A severe fungal infection of the brain lining.
- fungal — Caused by a fungus, not bacteria or virus.
- lumbar puncture — A medical test that removes fluid from the spine.lumbar punctures
- seizure — A sudden uncontrolled electrical brain event.seizures
- flucytosine — A medicine used to treat fungal infections.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever had a very bad headache?
- Would you go to a doctor if you had a long headache?
