Bacterial Meningitis
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually appear within five days of exposure and include high fever,
chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion, stiff neck or back, and
abdominal, back and extremity pain. Symptoms can develop over several hours,
or they may take 1 or 2 days. These symptoms, particularly in the early
stages, may resemble common upper respiratory ailments such as the cold
or flu. If a student experiences progression of cold symptoms to more severe
symptoms, including a persistent and severe fever, headache, nausea and
vomiting, confusion, extreme physical weakness, and a purplish rash, s/he
should immediately contact Hendrix Health Center or his/her health
care provider for assessment and treatment.
Is bacterial meningitis contagious?
Bacterial meningitis is contagious, however, it is not easily transmittable.
Indirect or casual contact (such as being in the same room with someone
who is infected) is not enough to cause transmission of bacterial meningitis.
Direct contact with someone who has bacterial meningitis does increase the
likelihood of being exposed to it. This includes direct exposure to oral
or nasal secretions, which result from the coughing or sneezing of an infected
person. Therefore, good hygiene practices help prevent its transmission.
Do not share eating or drinking utensils.
Who needs preventive antibiotics to protect against bacterial meningitis?
Persons who have had recent intimate or direct exposure to someone with
meningococcal disease may be at increased risk for contracting meningococcal
disease and should receive prophylactic medication. Intimate or direct exposure
is through kissing, sharing eating utensils or glassware, or droplet contamination
with nose or throat secretions from the infected individual.
Can meningitis be treated?
Unlike viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis can be treated through the
use of antibiotic therapies. Students with persistent symptoms they are
unsure about should come to Hendrix Health Center.
University Health Center staff stresses the importance of being informed
on this health issue. Students with any concerns about the effect of bacterial
meningitis on their health and well-being should not hesitate to contact
the health center for information and clarification of their concerns.
Meningitis Vaccine
Is there a meningitis vaccine?
A vaccine is currently available at the University Health Center, which
protects against four of the five serogroups of bacterial meningitis. It
does not protect against serogroup B, which accounts for approximately 32%
of all cases in the 15-24 year old age group. The vaccine produces protective
antibodies in 7-10 days and is effective for three to five years. Adverse
reactions are mild and infrequent, and include pain and redness at the site
of the injection. Call Hendrix Health Center.
For more information about the meningitis vaccine visit the
Center for Disease Control website.
Viral Meningitis
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms may not be the same for every person. The more common symptoms
are fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright lights,
drowsiness or confusion and nausea or vomiting.
Is viral meningitis a serious disease?
Viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in persons with normal immune
systems. Usually, the symptoms last from 7 to 10 days and the person recovers
completely. Often the symptoms of viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis
are the same. For that reason, if a student has these symptoms, he/she
should go to the ER or other health care provider
for assessment and treatment.
How is viral meningitis treated?
No specific treatment for viral meningitis exists at this time. Most patients
recover completely on their own, and doctors often will recommend bed
rest, plenty of fluids, and medicine to relieve fever and headache.
Is viral meningitis contagious?
The viruses that cause viral meningitis are contagious. However, most
people exposed to the viruses causing meningitis will not develop the
disease. They may have no symptoms or develop only a cold or rash with
low-grade fever. Typically, less than 1 out of 1000 persons infected actually
develop meningitis. Therefore, if you are around someone who has viral
meningitis, you have a moderate chance of becoming infected but a very
small chance of developing meningitis.
How is the virus spread?
Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often
spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva,
sputum or nasal mucus. This usually happens by shaking hands with an infected
person or touching something they have handled, and then rubbing your
own nose, mouth or eyes. The incubation period is usually between 3 and
7 days from the time you are infected until you develop symptoms. You
can usually spread the virus to someone else beginning about 3 days after
you are infected until about 10 days after you develop symptoms.
How can I reduce my chances of becoming infected?
Because most persons who are infected with enteroviruses do not become
sick, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus. If you are
in contact with someone who has viral meningitis, however, the most effective
method of prevention is to wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is a serious disease
that can lead to death within only a few hours of onset: one in ten cases
is fatal and one in seven survivors of the disease is left with a severe
disability, such as loss of a limb, mental retardation, paralysis, deafness
or seizures.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitis
and occurs when these bacteria, which can live harmlessly in the nose
and throat of healthy people, invade the tissues or bloodstream of the
body. Meningococcemia occurs when N. meningitidis enters the blood stream;
meningitis occurs when the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord
is invaded; and pneumonia occurs when the bacteria infects the lungs.
Meningococcal disease is contagious but a largely
preventable infection of the spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds
the brain.
Meningococcal bacteria are spread from person to person by direct contact
or intimate exposure with an infected person’s oral or nasal secretions,
such as saliva or respiratory droplets. Intimate or direct exposure is
through kissing, sharing eating utensils or glassware. Fortunately, the
bacteria is not as contagious as the common cold and does not spread by
being in the same room or breathing the same air as an infected person.
The bacteria is not transmitted by routine contact in classrooms, restaurants,
bars and restrooms where an infected person has been.
Approximately 5 to 10% of the general population carries the meningococcal
bacteria in the nose and throat in a harmless state. This carrier state
may last for days or months and seems to give those individuals who harbor
meningococci in their upper respiratory tract some protection from actually
developing the disease state.
Scientific evidence suggests that college students living in residence
hall facilities are at a moderately increased risk of contracting meningococcal
disease.
The incidence of meningococcal meningitis has increased since the early
1990's, including cases at U.S. colleges and universities. Recent data
also show students living in residence halls, particularly first year
students, have an increased risk for the disease.
Data suggests that certain social behaviors, such as exposure to passive
and active smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption, may
increase students' risk for contracting the disease.
Immunization against meningococcal disease will decrease the risk of the
disease.
A vaccine is currently available at the University Health Center, which
protects against four of the five serogroups of meningococcal meningitis.
It does not protect against serogroup B that accounts for approximately
32% of all cases in the 15-24 year old age group. The vaccine produces protective
antibodies in 7-10 days and is effective for three to five years. Adverse
reactions are mild and infrequent, and include pain and redness at the site
of the injection. Interested students should call Hendrix Health Center for an appointment
Students should be aware of common symptoms of meningitis including stiff
neck, headache, fever, sensitivity to light, sleepiness, confusion, and
seizures. Meningococcal blood infection causes fever and rash. Anyone
exhibiting symptoms should see a health care provider even if they had
the vaccine.
Information taken from
American College Health Association
Center for Disease Control
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