For Immediate Release       

Four Corners Health Department, serving Butler, Polk, Seward, and York Counties

Contact Vicki L. Duey, 402-362-2621 or toll free 877-337-3573

Date:  August 4, 2011

What is Meningitis and How Could It Affect My Family?

Meningitis (a type of meningococcal disease) is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.  People sometimes refer to it as “spinal meningitis”.  It is caused by a virus or a bacteria.  The type of treatment necessary is determined by the cause of meningitis.  When caused by a virus, the meningitis is usually less severe.  When meningitis results from a bacteria, it can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, loss of limbs, severe scarring, or learning disabilities. 

Signs and symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 commonly include:  high fever, headache, and stiff neck.  These symptoms can develop within hours.  Other symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, discomfort when looking into bright light, confusion, and sleepiness.  Infants with meningitis may appear slow or inactive, have vomiting, become irritable or feed poorly.  As the disease progresses, patients of any age may have seizures.

Meningococcal  disease pertains to any of the diseases caused by the same germ that causes meningitis.  Early diagnosis and treatment of meningococcal disease are very important.  If symptoms occur, the patient needs to see a doctor immediately.  About 3000 Americans get meningococcal disease each year.  Almost 300 of these people die from it.  In some cases, without treatment, this disease can kill an otherwise healthy young person in less than 48 hours. 

Even healthy people can get meningitis.  Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that the risk of getting meningitis increases in teens and young adults. 

How do you “catch” it?  A person can catch meningitis by having close personal contact with someone who is sick with the disease.  There are also people who carry the bacteria in their nose and throat but never become sick.  Close contact with a “carrier” could also cause someone to become infected with meningitis.  That’s why children and teens should avoid sharing water bottles, eating utensils and other items with their friends.  Other behaviors that can increase your chance of infection include:

• Living in dormitories or other close quarters
• Being in crowded situations for extended periods of time
• Sharing utensils and drinking glasses
• Kissing
• Smoking or being exposed to smoke
• Activities that weaken the immune system, like staying out late and having irregular sleeping patterns

There are two kinds of meningococcal vaccine in the United States.  Both vaccines protect against 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the U.S.  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.  Both vaccines work well and protect about 90% of people who get them.  Talk to your healthcare provided to make sure that your children are protected against this deadly disease.

For more information on meningitis or the meningococcal vaccines, contact Four Corners Health Department at questions@fourcorners.ne.gov, or toll free 877-337-3573, locally @ 402-362-2621.