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Important Information about Meningitis |
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This
information is being provided to all new college
students in the State of Texas. |
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Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially
deadly disease that can progress extremely fast — so
take utmost caution. It is an infection of the fluid
of a person’s spinal cord and the fluid that
surrounds the brain. The bacterium that causes
meningitis can also cause a serious infection of the
blood. Bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and
may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or
learning disability. This disease strikes about
3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on
college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among
college students every year. There is a treatment,
but those who survive may develop severe health
problems or disabilities. |
What are the symptoms?
High fever •
Severe headache • Stiff neck • Vomiting •
Seizures
Discomfort looking into bright lights • Nausea •
Lethargy
Rash or purple patches on skin • Confusion and
sleepiness
There may be a
rash of tiny red-purple spots caused by bleeding
under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the
body. These symptoms can develop over
several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. The
more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when
these symptoms appear seek immediately medical
attention.
How is bacterial
meningitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is
made by a medical provider and is usually based
on a combination of clinical symptoms and
laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood
tests. Early diagnosis and treatment are
very important. If symptoms occur, the patient
should see a doctor immediately to improve the
likelihood of recovery.
How is the
disease spread?
The disease is
spread when people exchange saliva (such as by
kissing, or by sharing drinking contains,
utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or
come into contact with respiratory or throat
secretions. Being in crowded situations may put
young people at greater risk for bacterial
meningitis.
How do you
increase your risk of getting the disease?
• Exposure to
saliva by sharing cigarettes, water bottles,
eating utensils, food, kissing, etc.
• Living in close conditions (such as sharing a
room/suite in a dorm or group home).
Anyone with
direct contact with a patient’s oral secretions
(such as a boyfriend or girlfriend would be
considered at risk for acquiring the infections.
What are the
possible consequences?
Death (in 8 to
24 hours from perfectly well to dead) • Coma
Permanent brain damage • Kidney failure •
Learning disability
Hearing loss, blindness • Gangrene • Convulsions
Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs) that
requires amputation
Can bacterial
meningitis be treated?
• Antibiotic
treatment, if received early, can save lives and
chances of recovery are increased. However,
permanent disability or death can still occur.
Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common
types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the
risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%
• Vaccinations are available and should be
considered for:
- Those living in close quarters
- College students 25 years old or younger
• Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5
most common bacterial types that cause 70% of
the disease in the U .S. (but does not protect
against ALL types of meningitis).
• Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become
effective, with protection lasting at least 3-5
years.
• The cost of vaccine varies so check with your
health care provider.
• Vaccinations is very safe — most common side
effects are redness and minor pain at injection
site for up to two days.
• Vaccination with the Menactra vaccine
(recommended) is available locally in Kerrville
at Family Practice Associates—(830) 896-4711.
How can I find
out more information?
• Contact your
own health care provider.
• Contact the Health and Wellness Center at
830-792-7279.
• Contact your local or regional Texas
Department of Health office at 830-896-5515.
• Contact web sites:
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo
www.acha.org
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FAQ about Meningococcal Disease
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1. What is
meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially
fatal, bacterial infection, and most commonly leads
to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes
surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or
meningococcal septicemia, an infection of the blood.
2. What causes meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria
meningitides, a leading cause of bacterial
meningitis in older children and young adults in the
United States. There are five types of bacteria (or
serogroups) for meningococcal disease that circulate
worldwide: A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Evidence shows
approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases in the
college age group are caused by serogroup C, Y or
W-135, which are potentially vaccine-preventable.
The number of cases caused by each type varies by
location. For instance, type A rarely causes cases
in the United States but is the most common cause of
epidemics in Africa and Asia. Different age groups
appear to be disproportionately affected by
different types. Type B is the most common type in
infants and recently was associated with cases in
Oregon, while type Y causes the majority of cases in
those 65 years and older. Type C is associated with
outbreaks in communities and schools, including
colleges and universities. The proportion of disease
caused by different types of the bacteria also
changes over time.
3. How many people get meningococcal disease each
year?
Meningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000
Americans each year and is responsible for
approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and
young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all
cases of meningitis in the United States.
Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal
disease occur on campuses each year, and five to
fifteen students will die as a result.
4. How serious is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal infection is contagious and progresses
very rapidly. It can easily be misdiagnosed as the
flu or other minor febrile infections, and, if not
treated early, meningitis can lead to death or
permanent disabilities.
5. How is meningococcal disease spread?
Meningococcal disease is spread person-to-person
through the air by respiratory droplets (e.g.,
coughing, sneezing). The bacteria also can be
transmitted through direct contact with an infected
person such as oral contact with shared items like
cigarettes or drinking glasses and through kissing.
6. What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?
Symptoms of meningococcal disease often resemble
those of the flu or other minor febrile illnesses,
making it sometimes difficult to diagnose. Symptoms
may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck,
rash, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and confusion.
7. What are the complications of meningococcal
disease?
If not treated early, meningococcal disease can lead
to death or permanent disabilities. One in five of
those who survive will suffer long-term side
effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss,
seizures, or limb amputation.
8. Who is at risk of getting meningococcal disease?
Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain
groups, though, are at higher risk. These include
infants, adolescents, and college students,
particularly those living in residence halls.
Disease rates decline after infancy, but begin to
rise again in early adolescence, peaking between the
ages of 15 and 20 years. Due to lifestyle
factors, such as crowded living situations, bar
patronage, active or passive smoking, irregular
sleep patterns, and sharing of personal items, some
college students may be more likely to acquire
meningococcal disease than the general college
population. Certain conditions also increase a
person’s susceptibility to the disease. Persons with
immature or damaged immune systems are at increased
risk. Respiratory tract infections also increase a
person’s risk of getting the disease. There also may
be certain genetic factors that increase the risk of
infection.
9. Should I be vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
and the American College Health Association (ACHA)
recommend that all first-year students living in
residence halls be vaccinated against meningococcal
disease. Other college students under 25 years of
age who wish to reduce their risk for the disease
may choose to be vaccinated.
10. Why should college students consider getting the
meningococcal vaccine?
Meningococcal vaccination is recommended by ACIP and
ACHA for all first-year students living in residence
halls. Data also show an increased incidence of
meningococcal disease among adolescents and young
adults, including college students. Additionally, in
persons 15 to 24 years of age, 70 to 80 percent of
cases are caused by vaccine preventable strains.
11. Who should be vaccinated?
• All
first-year students livings in residence halls.
• Undergraduate students 25 years of age or
younger who wish to reduce their risk for the
disease may choose to be vaccinated.
• Students with medical conditions that
compromise immunity (e.g., HIV, absent spleen,
antibody deficiency, chemotherapy, immuno-suppressants)
• Other groups (non-college age) are recommended
for vaccination
Students at the time of high school entry
Young adolescents at the pre-adolescent doctor
visit (11 to 12 years of age)
Travelers to endemic areas of the world
Lab workers with potential exposure to
meningococcus
12. How
effective is vaccination?
The meningococcal vaccine provides against four of
the five types of N. meningitides bacteria that
cause meningococcal disease in the United States —
types A, C, Y, and Y-135. In persons 15 to 24 years
of age, 70 to 80 percent of cases are caused by
potentially vaccine-preventable strains.
13. Is vaccination safe? Are there any adverse side
effects?
The vaccine is safe and effective, and adverse
reactions are mild and infrequent. The most commonly
reported reactions by adolescents and adults in
clinical studies were pain at the injection site,
headache, and fatigue. These respond to simple
measures (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and resolve
spontaneously within a few days. |
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