What You Have to Know to Keep Protected

In March 2025, a College of Virginia (UVA) pupil was identified with bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, bacterial meningitis is a comparatively uncommon situation, with solely about 1,000 circumstances nationwide in a 12 months.

However it’s regular to really feel a heightened sense of concern when meningitis is in your yard. And there have been many questions and considerations raised by our neighborhood. Happily, our pupil well being management saved college students knowledgeable and action-oriented on what to do to remain protected.

In the end, understanding the right way to forestall, acknowledge, and deal with this situation is data that helps safeguard public well being. Right here, we reply some ceaselessly requested questions on meningitis.

What Causes Meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is a critical an infection that inflames the protecting membranes masking the mind and spinal wire, known as the meninges.

Meningitis is brought on by:

• Micro organism
• Viruses
• Fungi (very not often)

In bacterial meningitis, the primary micro organism that trigger it are:

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
• Hemophilus influenzae sort B (Hib)
• Group B streptococcus (Strep B)

These micro organism are typically harmful to completely different teams of individuals. Group B strep primarily impacts newborns whose father or mother has the micro organism. Hib is ceaselessly seen in younger youngsters.

That’s why we check for group B strep throughout prenatal appointments and vaccinate infants for Hib and pneumococcus.

However in adolescents and younger adults, meningococcus is probably the most frequent reason for an infection. That is the underlying reason for the UVA pupil’s meningitis.  

How Do You Get Meningitis?

When an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets can unfold into the air. These droplets come into contact with people who find themselves close by. Contact with saliva, like by kissing or sharing forks, can transmit the micro organism.

However the excellent news is that these micro organism don’t dwell for lengthy exterior of the human physique. So, you don’t want to fret about oblique contact, like utilizing the identical grocery cart as an contaminated individual.

What’s It Prefer to Have Meningitis?

Meningitis signs are typically sudden and arduous to overlook.

• Fever: Over 100 levels, with sudden onset
• Headache: Extreme and chronic headache
• Neck stiffness: Cannot look down or side-to-side
• Nausea: With or with out vomiting
• Sensitivity to gentle (known as photophobia)
• Confusion or sleepiness

Typically there’s additionally a rash, which seems to be like purple dots and doesn’t fade when pressed on. This rash may be very attribute and a tell-tale signal. However if you happen to’re having the above signs, you shouldn’t wait to discover a rash to get assist.

Even when it’s not meningitis, these signs imply it’s possible you’ll want medical care.

So, Why Is Everybody So Scared?

They’re not scared; they’re knowledgeable and performing with urgency.

Bacterial meningitis can progress in a short time. Typically, inside a day. And, it ceaselessly results in critical issues, even loss of life. Early remedy improves an individual’s probabilities of restoration, and treating individuals who got here into contact with the illness however don’t have signs can forestall it fully.

Is There a Vaccine?

Sure. Sometimes, you get vaccinated towards meningitis as a youngster. In Virginia, meningitis vaccination is required for college students attending school.

We even have vaccines for among the causes of it, like Hib, which are given in infancy.

However some individuals can’t get the vaccine. And, even if you happen to’ve been vaccinated, there’s a small probability you would get sick.

Are There Different Methods to Shield Myself?

The entire normal hygiene practices that provide help to keep protected throughout chilly season will assist right here.

• Wash your arms
• Don’t cough on others
• Don’t share utensils, drinks, or meals

Don’t Look forward to Therapy

At UVA, contact tracing and beginning antibiotics earlier than signs start has helped maintain this 1 case of meningitis from turning into an outbreak. Whereas not 100%, this considerably reduces the probabilities of creating meningitis.

Fixed Vigilance

Vaccination has led to a big decline within the circumstances of bacterial meningitis seen in the US. However educating others on the right way to spot early signs and get remedy is one other necessary measure.

Happily, on this case, no different circumstances had been reported.

If you’re a pupil at UVA and have further questions on upcoming vaccination clinics, try the pupil well being sickness hub for extra instructions.