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FAST FACTS ABOUT MENINGITIS:

What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may cause meningitis.  Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is caused by an infection with one of several types of viruses.  Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, and causes a more severe disease that requires prompt treatment of the patient with antibiotics.  For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.
 
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Symptoms of meningitis may include fever, rash, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.  These symptoms are often difficult to identify in infants, who, when suffering from viral meningitis may become irritable, lethargic, inconsolable, or refuse to eat.  Since viral and bacterial meningitis often have similar symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has these symptoms.
 
What causes meningitis and how is it spread?
Approximately 90% of viral meningitis cases are due to a group of common intestinal viruses called enteroviruses.  These viruses are typically spread from person-to-person through direct or indirect contact with fecal material, usually on unclean hands or contaminated environmental items.  Viruses can be passed on to others beginning about three days after someone is infected until about 10 days after
symptoms occur, although very few exposed persons develop meningitis.  Bacterial meningitis can be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus  species or Neisseria meningitidis, which are spread by direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person.
 
How is meningitis diagnosed and treated?
In cases of severe illness, meningitis can be confirmed through laboratory tests performed on spinal fluid.  There is no specific treatment for viral meningitis, most patients will completely recover on their own with bed rest and plenty of fluids, however health care providers often will recommend medicine to relieve fever and headache.  Antibiotics specific for the bacterial cause are used to treat bacterial meningitis.
 

June 24, 2010

MENINGITIS NOT CONFIRMED - Will Rogers Junior High student hospitalized

Rebecca Hattaway Features Editor

CLAREMORE — A Will Rogers Junior High student hospitalized with symptoms resembling meningitis has not been confirmed to have the disease.

Mary Beth Murray, administrator of the Rogers County Health Department, said Thursday afternoon there has been no diagnosis by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

“If it is found to be meningitis it is most likely viral which is a huge difference from the bacterial kind that was found in Oologah,” Murray said. “Apparently (the student) is not even in isolation — she’s in a regular room so odds are it’s not meningitis at all.”

Viral meningitis is “quite frequent,” according to Murray,  and not reportable to the state health department.

“It’s frightening to people who don’t understand the disease — of course they’re thinking about what happened in Oologah,” she said.

In March, seven students at Oologah Elementary School contracted bacterial meningitis. Two died from the illness.

Six-year-old Jeremiah Mitchell was among the seven diagnosed. He lost his arms, legs and lower face to the disease and has undergone several facial reconstructive surgeries at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, where he has been staying since March 29.

For more information about meningitis, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health at www.ok.gov/health/.

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