Meningitis

[Dad_of_3]

<p>University</a> of Wisconsin-Madison student dies after bout with meningitis | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post-Crescent</p>

<p>Sad story from my friend's friend's family. I hope all the parents have had their children immunized.</p>

[LTG]

<p>Does the vaccine work on bacterial meningitis (the type in the article), or only on viral meningitis? (Not a challenge, just a question). My son resisted the vaccine, but relented when his school sent out an informational pamphlet explaining the benefits and the minimal risks.</p>

[menloparkmom]

<p>bacterial meningitis can be fought with antibiotics, which are ineffective against the viral form of meningitis. That is why getting the vaccine is so important.</p>

[_rentof2]

<p>Actually, I think it’s the other way around, menloparkmom.</p>

<p>

The meningitis vaccine is about 85% effective against certain strains of bacteria. It does not protect against viral meningitis.The CDC now recommends that children ages 11 to 12 years old, unvaccinated teens entering high school, and unvaccinated college freshmen living in dormitories should be routinely vaccinated.

</p>

<p>Also the vaccine is effective against certain strains of meningitis, but not against others. Where we live, in the NW, the most common form of menigitis is not effectively prevented by the currently available vaccine. My daughter got the vaccine anyway, because it does protect against other strains – which although less common in this part of the country, do occasionally occur.</p>

<p>The university, though, lets people know that just getting the vaccine will not provide protection to students from the more common NW strain. The vaccine is totally optional for that reason.</p>

[45daysinrome]

<p>Meningitis is sadly quite common on college campuses as a result of poor hygiene, sharing drinks etc. Menloparkmom is right. We had a case study on that in my anatomy class last year. It is highly important that college students get immunized because of how common it is.</p>

[coureur]

<p>The vaccine offers SOME protection against bacterial meningitis and none at all against viral. There are also two types of vaccine available: the older Menimmune which is a polysaccharide vaccine and the newer Menactra, which is a conjugate vaccine. The conjugate vaccine offers better and longer-lasting immunity.</p>

[musicmom]

<p>I think this thread is referring to the meningococcal vaccine, which would only protect against some serotypes of one type of bacterial meningitis. Not effective against viral at all.</p>

<p>But meningococcal meningitis is deadly. Any protection is vital for teens and college kids, IMHO, and both of mine were vaccinated.
We unfortunately see several cases of fatal disease in young adults every year in the hospital where I work.</p>

<p>Colleges in NJ require it for attendance. Other states as well.</p>

[musicmom]

<p>Coureur, sorry, we cross posted with similar info.</p>

[SmithieandProud]

<p>Also, remind your kids that wearing shower shoes and limiting how much they share dishes (including drinking out the same cups, using the same utensils) can help protect them as well.</p>

[anneroku]

<p>How do shower shoes help?</p>

[JustAMomOf4]

<p>This is very sad.
Fully immunized kids can still get bacterial meningitis. Please don’t assume that they can’t get it and their illness is benign. Know the symptoms, teach them to your children so they can get help for their friends if necessary.</p>

[frazzled1]

<p>Per the Vaccine Information Statement at immunize.org:

There are two kinds of meningococcal vaccine in the U.S.:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was
  licensed in 2005. It is the preferred vaccine for
  people 2 through 55 years of age.
• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4)
  has been available since the 1970s. It may be used if
  MCV4 is not available, and is the only meningococcal
  vaccine licensed for people older than 55.
  Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal
  disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the
  United States and a type that causes epidemics in
  Africa. Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all
  types of the disease. But they do protect many people
  who might become sick if they didn’t get the vaccine.

Our pediatricians made very sure that our kids understood this when they were immunized - went over the symptoms and stressed the absolute necessity of seeking medical attention if symptoms arose. From talking to other parents of college-age students, it seems that many are unaware that this is not a 100 percent effective vaccine.</p>

[MD_Mom_1]

<p>What a tragedy for the family.
I bought my daughter a thermometer before she left for college and told her to go to the clinic for 102 or higher. DH had menigitis three times in 1992 without long-term effects; ironically, he regained consciousness on Valentine’s Day 1992. The experience made me forever vigilant. Also tell your kids that if they feel different than they ever have, go see a doctor.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>But meningococcal meningitis is deadly. Any protection is vital for teens and college kids, IMHO, and both of mine were vaccinated.</p>

<p>This meningitis kills people QUICKLY! Kids can feel well during the day, start running a fever at night (often with a stiff neck) and be dead by midnight. Some survivors end up losing limbs.</p>

<p>Many colleges require students be immunized to live in campus housing.</p>

<p>The military requires it, too. The military saw a significant drop in cases after requiring the shot.</p>

<p>If I’m remembering correctly, UGa lost a star pitcher to this, and a basketball player at a NE school lost some limbs to this disease.</p>

<p>Actually, kids over the age of 9 ( I think that’s the age) should get this shot, since many are in close contact due to sports, camps, etc.</p>

[musicmom]

<p>Yes, that’s the point.
No meningitis is ‘safe’ to get but meningococcal can have a devastatingly rapid onset.</p>

<p>And yes, vaccinated children should be told that the vaccine is not 100% effective so that they will seek help if symptoms appear. Too many young adults think they are invincible and this is just not a disease that will allow you to delay treatment.</p>

[NorthMinnesota]

<p>My D2 contracted bacterial meningitis at 5 weeks old. Thank heavens for early detection. Please vaccinate your children…or young adults!</p>

[levirm]

<p>How sad for the family and friends of this victim.
The meningococcal vaccine protects against 4 of the most common bacterial serotypes, but unfortunately there are others that can cause disease. The vaccine is recommended by the CDC for children at age 11 or 12. Unfortunately, many school districts have not caught up to this recommendation and do not require the vaccine for school attendance.
When a case occurs, close contacts should get prophylactic antibiotics (usually Cipro) to prevent disease and contain the outbreak.
Risk factors for developing meningitis are not well understood, as many people carry the organism in their throats and do not get sick. But alcohol consumption may be a risk factor.</p>