1 / 13

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis. What you need to know to protect yourself. What is bacterial meningitis?. Infection of a person's spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain Two common types:

raiden
Download Presentation

Bacterial Meningitis

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Bacterial Meningitis What you need to know to protect yourself

  2. What is bacterial meningitis? • Infection of a person's spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain • Two common types: 1. Viral - caused by a virus, less severe then bacterial meningitis and resolves without specific treatment 2. Bacterial – caused by a bacteria, quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities or death

  3. Is there a treatment? • Antibiotics – main treatment for bacterial meningitis • This does not always prevent death

  4. How might I get bacterial meningitis? • After intimate contact with an infected person • It is transmitted through droplets of respiratory and throat secretions - kissing, sharing toothbrushes or eating utensils, coughing, frequently eating or sleeping in the same dwelling as an infected individual

  5. How do I know if I have it? The infected person may have any of the following: • Stiff neck • Headache • Fever • Nausea/vomiting • Confusion • Drowsiness • Discomfort looking into bright lights • Seizures (in later stage)

  6. Who is at risk? • Anyone living in communal living conditions, such as in dormitories and military barracks • Persons with immune deficiencies, chronic illnesses and upper respiratory infections • Anyone exposed to cigarette smoke • Persons taking in high alcohol consumption • Low socioeconomic status individuals • Babies, during the first year of life • Persons between the ages of 15 -24 years old

  7. Why am I at risk? • Living in dormitories • May develop an upper respiratory infection • Age group: 17 – 24 years old • Exposed to persons at risk during mission trips, evangelizing, and day to day activities

  8. How can I prevent getting it? • Reduce stress • Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night • Hand washing • Keeping hands away from mouth and face • Don’t smoke • Don’t share utensils or toiletry equipment • Eat balanced meals • Avoid high alcohol consumption • Get vaccinated (best prevention)

  9. What is the Meningococcal vaccine? • Two types 1. Menomune (Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or MPSV4) 2. Menactra (Meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4) Both give immunity to bacterial meningitis.

  10. Menomune • First developed (1982) • Immunity lasts approximately three to five years • Recommended for children 2 to 10 years old and adults over 55, but can also be used if Menactra is not available • Cost varies

  11. Menactra • Newer vaccine • Claims to induce a better and longer-lasting immune response than Menomune • Preferred vaccine for people 11 to 55 years of age • Cost varies

  12. How can I get vaccinated? • At University Medical Services (subject to availability) – Call to schedule an appointment (7862) • May contact family physician to obtain vaccine • May obtain vaccine at local health department

  13. Additional Resources • To find out more about meningitis visit the following websites: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000608.htm http://www.meningitis.org/ • To find out more about the meningitis vaccines visit the following website: www.cdc.gov/nip

More Related