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Meningitis
What is Meningitis?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial
infection. The disease is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an
inflammation of the membranes surrounding
the brain and the spinal cord or meningococcemia, the presence of the
bacteria in the blood. Meningococcal disease can lead to death within 48-72
hours after onset. Of those who survive, an additional 10% have severe after
effects of the disease, including mental retardation, hearing loss, and loss
of limbs.
How is Meningococcal Disease Transmitted?
Meningococcal bacteria are transmitted through the air via
droplets of respiratory secretions and by direct contact with an infected
person's nasal or throat secretions. Although anyone can be a carrier of the
bacteria, data indicate that certain social behaviors, such as exposure to
passive and active smoking, bar patronage and excessive alcohol consumption,
may put college students at increased risk for invasive disease. Patients
with respiratory infections, compromised immunity, those in close contact
with a known case and travelers to endemic areas of the world are also at
increased risk. Direct contact is defined as oral contact with shared items,
such as cigarettes or drinking glasses, or through intimate contact, such as
kissing.
Why are college students at risk?
College campuses have a greater risk of outbreak than the
general population, due to the prevalence of risk factors; such as
concurrent upper respiratory infections, passive and active smoking, bar
patronage, and excessive alcohol consumption. Recent evidence indicates that
college students residing on campus in dormitories or residence halls appear
to be at higher risk for contracting meningococcal meningitis. Research
released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that freshmen living
in dormitories have a six-fold increased risk for meningococcal meningitis
than college students overall.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The early symptoms usually associated with meningococcal
disease may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea,
vomiting and lethargy, and may resemble influenza. Because the disease
progresses rapidly, often in as little as 12 hours, prompt diagnosis and
treatment are important to assure recovery.
How can I protect myself?
Consider Meningitis vaccination for effective protection
against this potentially fatal disease.
Come to the Indiana State University Student Health Center
and get vaccinated before an outbreak to reduce your risk for this disease.
The ISU Student Health Center offers the Meningitis
vaccination(Menatra) at cost of $103.
Other preventive measures that would help protect
individuals are:
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good hand washing
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avoid sharing beverage containers, cigarettes, lipstick, or
eating utensils
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avoid smoking and smoky environments
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get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly
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eat a balanced diet and avoid excessive alcohol consumption
A WORD FROM THE CDC
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Vaccines > MCV4
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Conjugate Vaccine
(MCV-4)
ACIP Recommends Meningococcal Vaccine for
Adolescents and College Freshmen
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends routine vaccination of young adolescents with
MCV4 at the pre-adolescent visit (11-12 year old).
Introducing a recommendation for MCV4 vaccination in young
adolescents (11-12 years old) may strengthen the role of the
pre-adolescent visit and have a positive effect on vaccine
coverage in adolescence. ACIP recommends that young
adolescents see a healthcare provider at age 11-12 for a
routine preventive visit, at which time appropriate
immunizations and other preventive services should be
provided. For those who have not previously received MCV4,
we recommend vaccination before high school entry (~15 years
old) as the most effective strategy towards reducing
meningococcal disease incidence in adolescence and young
adulthood. Within 3 years, the goal is routine vaccination
with MCV4 of all adolescents beginning at 11 years of age.
ACIP recognizes that vaccine supply may be an issue in the
first few years after licensure of MCV4. Other adolescents
who wish to decrease their risk of meningococcal disease may
elect to receive vaccine.
College freshman who live in dormitories are at higher risk
for meningococcal disease compared to other people of the
same age. Because of the feasibility constraints in
targeting freshmen in dormitories, colleges may elect to
target their vaccination campaigns to all matriculating
freshmen. The risk for meningococcal disease among
non-freshmen college students is similar to that for the
general population of similar age (18-24 years). However,
the vaccines are safe and immunogenic and therefore can be
provided to non-freshmen college students who want to reduce
their risk for meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria that infect the
bloodstream and the linings of the brain and spinal cord,
causing serious illness. Every year in the United States,
1,400 to 2,800 people get meningococcal disease. Ten to 14
percent of people with meningococcal disease die, and 11-19
percent of survivors have permanent disabilities (such as
mental retardation, hearing loss, and loss of limbs). The
disease often begins with symptoms that can be mistaken for
common illnesses, such as the flu. Meningococcal disease is
particularly dangerous because it progresses rapidly and can
kill within hours.
“Disease caused by meningococcal bacteria kills about 300
people each year in the United States. We are encouraged
that today’s ACIP recommendation will help to prevent this
potentially deadly disease among adolescents” said Dr.
Stephen Cochi, Acting Director of the National Immunization
Program at CDC.
The vaccine is highly effective. However, it does not
protect people against meningococcal disease caused by “type
B” bacteria. This type of bacteria causes one-third of
meningococcal cases. More than half of the cases among
infants aged <1 year are caused by “type B,” for which no
vaccine is available in the United States. The new
meningococcal vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) on January 14, 2005 for use in people
11-55 years of age. It is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and
is marketed as Menactra™.
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