BACTERIAL MENINGITIS**
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 a 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 as 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.
**The state of Texas
requires us to post this information. |
