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Bacterial Meningitis
(En Español)
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 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 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.
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