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WHAT
IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord.
It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral
meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is
the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for
serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires
urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over
one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not
everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe
headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck
stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and
adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur
anywhere on the body.
The
diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and
laboratory results.
HOW
SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
If it
is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a
complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left
with permanent disability.
HOW IS
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS SPREAD
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as
diseases 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. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but
they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people
exchange saliva (such by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or
cigarettes).
The
germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people
become carriers of the germ for days, weeks or even months. The
bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and causes meningitis or
another serious illness.
HOW
CAN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
Do not
share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number
of persons you kiss.
While
there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are
used only in special circumstances. These include when there is a disease
outbreak in a community or for people traveling to a country where there is
a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is recommended by some
groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or
residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90%). It can cause
mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up
to two days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is
given and lasts for up to 5 years.
WHAT
YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU THINK YOU OR A FRIEND MIGHT HAVE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
Seek
prompt medical attention.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Your
school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health
department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable
diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas
Department of Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional
information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of
Health:
www.tdh.state.tx.us.
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