What is Meningitis?
Viral and Bacterial Meningitis differ in terms of severity and cause. Of the two, bacterial meningitis is generally more severe. There are several types and sub-types of Bacterial Meningitis. Several of the more common types caused by bacterial infection can be prevented through vaccination. (Hib, pneumoococcal and meningococcal)
Meningococcal Meningitis is a rare disease causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It can take a life within one single day. It often appears as a flu-like illness in the early hours of infection, and can swiftly sicken, kill or disable a healthy infant, child, teen or adult. Because of the devastating effects of the disease, and risk of death, vaccination is recommended.
(Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is recommended for students, foreign travelers of all ages, military recruits, and persons with certain medical conditions. This includes anyone (infant--adult) who is immune-compromised, missing a spleen (or having a poorly functioning spleen, or having complement deficiency, or HIV. (www.cdc.gov)
Survivors (up to 20%) may be left with a variety of disabilities and conditions, such as limb loss, blindness, deafness, brain damage, loss of skin and tissue and neurological damage. Seizure disorders and strokes can also occur. Death occurs in 10-14% of cases. The death rate increases to 50% if sepsis (a blood infection) occurs with meningococcal meningitis (fulminant meningococcemia).
(Maggi had fulminant meningococcemia, and because she did not have a spleen, her chances of survival were nearly impossible. She was given a 2% chance to survive.)
Because meningococcal meningitis can appear as a viral or flu-like illness in the early hours, symptoms typically include fever, body aches, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff or painful neck. Some persons experience all of these symptoms, and others only a few of them. Later symptoms can include leg pain, irritability, diarrhea, confusion, light or sound sensitivity, difficulty breathing, and purpuric rash (red or purple discoloration).
Vaccination is recommended to prevent the disease and save lives. There are several sub-types of Meningococcal meningitis: (A, B, C, Y, and W-135 wh cause the majority of illness).
Two vaccines, Menactra and Menveo are both currently available to immunize against 4 strains (A, C, Y and W-135). Many adolescents and college students have already been vaccinated with one of these two vaccines. These vaccines do not protect against Serotype B.
New vaccines for Type B meningococcal disease are to be released in late 2014 or early 2015.
Meningococcal Meningitis is a rare disease causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It can take a life within one single day. It often appears as a flu-like illness in the early hours of infection, and can swiftly sicken, kill or disable a healthy infant, child, teen or adult. Because of the devastating effects of the disease, and risk of death, vaccination is recommended.
(Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is recommended for students, foreign travelers of all ages, military recruits, and persons with certain medical conditions. This includes anyone (infant--adult) who is immune-compromised, missing a spleen (or having a poorly functioning spleen, or having complement deficiency, or HIV. (www.cdc.gov)
Survivors (up to 20%) may be left with a variety of disabilities and conditions, such as limb loss, blindness, deafness, brain damage, loss of skin and tissue and neurological damage. Seizure disorders and strokes can also occur. Death occurs in 10-14% of cases. The death rate increases to 50% if sepsis (a blood infection) occurs with meningococcal meningitis (fulminant meningococcemia).
(Maggi had fulminant meningococcemia, and because she did not have a spleen, her chances of survival were nearly impossible. She was given a 2% chance to survive.)
Because meningococcal meningitis can appear as a viral or flu-like illness in the early hours, symptoms typically include fever, body aches, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff or painful neck. Some persons experience all of these symptoms, and others only a few of them. Later symptoms can include leg pain, irritability, diarrhea, confusion, light or sound sensitivity, difficulty breathing, and purpuric rash (red or purple discoloration).
Vaccination is recommended to prevent the disease and save lives. There are several sub-types of Meningococcal meningitis: (A, B, C, Y, and W-135 wh cause the majority of illness).
Two vaccines, Menactra and Menveo are both currently available to immunize against 4 strains (A, C, Y and W-135). Many adolescents and college students have already been vaccinated with one of these two vaccines. These vaccines do not protect against Serotype B.
New vaccines for Type B meningococcal disease are to be released in late 2014 or early 2015.
