| Meningitis |
So, what is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be viral or bacterial. Viral meningitis is more common and resolves without any specific treatment. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is less prevalent but is more serious and even potentially life threatening if not treated promptly with antibiotics. The onset and progression of the disease can be very rapid. Early symptoms may mimic the flu but the most common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, mental changes, rash, and nausea/vomiting.
Bacterial meningitis can be caused by a number of organisms but the most common affecting older children and young adults is Neisseria Meningitidis. Of the N. Meningitidis cases there are five major serogroups or strains (A, B, C, Y, W-135) that cause the disease. The disease infects approximately 2,800 individuals in the U.S. annually, leading to death in about 10-15% of the cases. Unfortunately, recent data has shown an overall increase in meningitis cases between 1992-1996. The American College Health Association also reports that there has been a sharp rise in the number of serogroup C meningitis outbreaks (an outbreak is defined as three or more unrelated cases over a three month period). There have been 36 outbreaks from 1992 until present, compared with only 13 outbreaks from 1980-1991. Over half of these outbreaks have occurred in schools, universities or other organizational-based settings.
Currently the American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control are conducting a nationwide study of colleges and universities to determine if college students are at a higher risk than the general population for meningitis. Preliminary results suggest that college students are indeed at a higher risk due to dormitory living and lifestyle behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, binge drinking and bar patronage.
There is a vaccine to protect against meningitis (Menomune) which is 85-95% effective against 4 of the 5 N. Meningiditis serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135). This accounts for 65% of the N. Meningiditis cases in the U.S. The effectiveness of the vaccine is thought to last at least 3 years. The vaccine has been used routinely for new recruits in the U.S. military since 1982. This has resulted in a decrease by 87% of sporadic cases and an elimination of outbreaks for the military.
The jury seems to still be out as to whether routine vaccination for ALL college students is cost effective or necessary, but anyone interested in decreasing his/her risk of this potentially fatal disease should consider immunization. Individuals who do receive the vaccine should keep in mind the vaccine will not protect against ALL strains so if symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately. |
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