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Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.
 High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. |
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If symptoms occur, you should see a doctor immediately. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important, however, that treatment be started early in the course of the disease. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%. Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious.
The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., coughing, kissing). Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
There are two vaccines against N. meningitides available in the U.S, Menactra and Menomume. Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the U.S.(serogroup C, Y, and W-135) and a type that causes epidemics in Africa(serogroup A). Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of the disease but they do protect many people who might become sick if they didn’t get the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for college freshmen living in dormitories.
Health Services does carry the meningitis vaccine and it is available without an appointment. Call 580-5550 if you have any further questions.
The bacteria are spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (i.e., coughing, kissing). Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
There are two vaccines against N. meningitides available in the U.S, Menactra and Menomume. Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the U.S.(serogroup C, Y, and W-135) and a type that causes epidemics in Africa(serogroup A). Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of the disease but they do protect many people who might become sick if they didn’t get the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for college freshmen living in dormitories.
Health Services does carry the meningitis vaccine and it is available without an appointment. Call 580-5550 if you have any further questions.
