Meningitis Awareness
>
Fast Facts about Meningitis
What is meningococcal disease and meningitis?
An infection with meningococcal bacteria causes a serious, potentially fatal but rare infection called meningococcal disease. You may have heard it referred to as bacterial meningitis. Up to 1 in 10 people who get this disease die from it. Up to 1 in 5 people who survive suffer lasting physical and/or emotional damage.
Who gets meningitis?
Everyone is at risk of contracting meningitis. Even people who are usually healthy can get meningitis. Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for catching the disease.
How does a person catch meningitis?
It is spread through common everyday activities including, but not limited to, coughing, sneezing, kissing and drink sharing.
How can a person prevent meningitis?
While there isn’t a way to be 100 percent protected, you can help reduce the risk of getting meningitis by avoiding the behaviors that spread it. There are two vaccinations, MenACWY and MenB that are necessary to be fully immunize against meningococcal disease.
What are signs & symptoms of meningitis?
Early Signs:
- High Fever
- Cold hands & feet
- Leg Pain
- Lethargy
Classic Signs:
- Rash
- Headache/Stiff Neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Joint Pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Confusion
- Eventually mental & physical impairment and/or death!
It is often and easily mistaken for the flu; it comes on very suddenly and progresses extremely quickly. It can kill a healthy young person in less than 48 hours!
For additional information and resources, please visit meningitisbactionproject.org: