What You Must Know to Keep Protected

In March 2025, a College of Virginia (UVA) scholar was recognized with bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, bacterial meningitis is a comparatively uncommon situation, with solely about 1,000 instances nationwide in a yr.

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 group. Thankfully, our scholar well being management stored college students knowledgeable and action-oriented on what to do to remain secure.

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

What Causes Meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is a severe an infection that inflames the protecting membranes protecting the mind and spinal twine, referred to as the meninges.

Meningitis is attributable to:

• Micro organism
• Viruses
• Fungi (very hardly ever)

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

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

These micro organism are usually harmful to totally different teams of individuals. Group B strep primarily impacts newborns whose mum or dad has the micro organism. Hib is often seen in younger kids.

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 essentially the most frequent reason for an infection. That is the underlying reason for the UVA scholar’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 means of kissing or sharing forks, can transmit the micro organism.

However the excellent news is that these micro organism don’t reside for lengthy outdoors 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 usually sudden and onerous 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 (referred to as photophobia)
• Confusion or sleepiness

Usually there’s additionally a rash, which appears like purple dots and doesn’t fade when pressed on. This rash may be very attribute and a tell-tale signal. However for those who’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 chances are you’ll want medical care.

So, Why Is Everybody So Scared?

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

Bacterial meningitis can progress in a short time. Generally, inside a day. And, it often results in severe problems, even dying. Early therapy improves an individual’s possibilities of restoration, and treating individuals who got here into contact with the illness however don’t have signs can stop it completely.

Is There a Vaccine?

Sure. Sometimes, you get vaccinated towards meningitis as an adolescent. In Virginia, meningitis vaccination is required for college kids attending faculty.

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

However some folks can’t get the vaccine. And, even for those who’ve been vaccinated, there’s a small probability you possibly can get sick.

Are There Different Methods to Defend Myself?

All the customary hygiene practices that enable you keep secure throughout chilly season will assist right here.

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

Don’t Await Therapy

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

Fixed Vigilance

Vaccination has led to a big decline within the instances of bacterial meningitis seen in america. However educating others on the right way to spot early signs and get therapy is one other essential measure.

Thankfully, on this case, no different instances have been reported.

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