Meningitis

[ericadawn16]

Meningitis is a very serious illness. It can be fatal. In 34% of adults who contract it, they will suffer permanent consequences: hearing loss, epilepsy, cognitive difficulties.

And it's almost entirely preventable...

Who does CDC recommend get the vaccine?

* Children: Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for certain high-risk children from ages 2 through 10.
* Pre-teens/Adolescents: Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is routinely recommended for all 11 through 18 year olds. If your child did not get this vaccine at the 11- or 12-year-old check-up, make an appointment for him or her to get it now.
* Adults: Either meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for adults if you
o Are a college freshman living in a dormitory
o Are a military recruit
o Have a damaged spleen or your spleen has been removed
o Have terminal complement deficiency
o Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis (the causal pathogen)
o Are traveling to or residing in countries in which the disease is common


It's most common among groups who share cups, food and other items, including bodily fluids...the kids. A few weeks ago, a local high school student died from it. For me, my university required it and it was so simple: just one shot. It's not necessary to go to a doctor. Some public health clinics carry it. I was able to get it at my university health clinic for a reasonable rate.

Comments

[twirlandswirl.livejournal.com]

This is the second time I've heard meningitis mentioned in the last few hours. Odd.

UF required it to live in the dorms, but you could waive it. I didn't intend to waive it, but I didn't know I needed to get it before ORIENTATION. I showed up and they told me I either had to reschedule and NOT get refunded, or waive the vaccination. Well, that was an easy choice. I always intended to get it later, but I never did.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. It is very important to get the word out. Lots of people still think that once early childhood is over vaccines are done and you are 'safe.'

Parents as well as students need to know that this is not the case.

[aviv-b.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this! I'm pretty good on keeping up on my tetnus booster, but I had no idea about this. I'll be speaking to my GP about htis at my next appointment.