Senate Bill (SB) 31 was recently signed into law by Governor Perry and
requires a school district to provide information relating to bacterial
meningitis to its students and their parents each school year. The
legislation instructs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to prescribe the
form and content of the information and procedures for notifying students
and parents. TEA has instructed districts to post this information on
their district website.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the
covering of the brain and spinal cord--also called the meninges. It can be
caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral (aseptic)
meningitis is common; most people recover fully. Medical management of
viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is usually no
indication for the use of antibiotics. Parasitic and fungal meningitis are
very rare. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and may involve
complicated medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support
management.
There are two common types of bacteria that cause
meningitis:
-
Strep pneumoniae causes pneumococcal
meningitis; there are over 80 subtypes that cause illness
-
Neisseria meningitidis--meningococcal
menintgitis; there are 5 subtypes that cause serious illness--A, B, C, Y,
W-135
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:
*In both children and adults, there may be a
rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises caused by bleeding under the
skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. They are a sign of blood
poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with meningitis, particularly
the meningococcal strain.
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 a permanent disability, such as deafness,
blindness, amputations or brain damage (resulting in mental retardation or
paralysis) even with prompt treatment.
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 as 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. Being a carrier helps to stimulate your body's natural
defense system. The bacteria rarely overcomes the body's immune system and
causes meningitis or another serious illness.
What is the risk of getting bacterial
meningitis?
The risk of getting bacterial meningitis in all
age groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000 population per year. However,
the highest risk group for the most serious form of the disease, meningococcal
meningitis, is highest among children 2 50 18 years old.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually based on a combination
of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood.
Spinal fluid is obtained by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented:
Do not share food, drinks, utensils,
toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.
Vaccines against pneumococcal disease are
recommended both for young children and adults over 64. A vaccine against
four meningococcal serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) is available. These four
groups cause the majority of meningococcal cases in the United States.
This 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 year.
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.
