In March 2025, a College of Virginia (UVA) scholar was recognized with bacterial meningitis. Fortunately, bacterial meningitis is a comparatively uncommon situation, with solely about 1,000 instances nationwide in a 12 months.

However it’s regular to really feel a heightened sense of concern when meningitis is in your yard. And there have been many questions and issues raised by our neighborhood. Happily, our scholar well being management stored college students knowledgeable and action-oriented on what to do to remain secure.

In the end, understanding learn how to stop, acknowledge, and deal with this situation is data that helps safeguard public well being. Right here, we reply some continuously requested questions on meningitis.

What Causes Meningitis?

Bacterial meningitis is a critical an infection that inflames the protecting membranes protecting the mind and spinal wire, referred to as the meninges.

Meningitis is brought on by:

• Micro organism
• Viruses
• Fungi (very not often)

In bacterial meningitis, the primary micro organism that trigger it are:

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
• Hemophilus influenzae kind B (Hib)
• Group B streptococcus (Strep B)

These micro organism are typically harmful to totally different teams of individuals. Group B strep primarily impacts newborns whose mother or father has the micro organism. Hib is continuously seen in younger kids.

That’s why we take a look at for group B strep throughout prenatal appointments and vaccinate infants for Hib and pneumococcus.

However in adolescents and younger adults, meningococcus is essentially the most frequent reason for an infection. That is the underlying reason for the UVA scholar’s meningitis.  

How Do You Get Meningitis?

When an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets can unfold into the air. These droplets come into contact with people who find themselves close by. Contact with saliva, like by kissing or sharing forks, can transmit the micro organism.

However the excellent news is that these micro organism don’t dwell for lengthy outdoors of the human physique. So, you don’t want to fret about oblique contact, like utilizing the identical grocery cart as an contaminated individual.

What’s It Prefer to Have Meningitis?

Meningitis signs are typically sudden and laborious to overlook.

• Fever: Over 100 levels, with sudden onset
• Headache: Extreme and chronic headache
• Neck stiffness: Cannot look down or side-to-side
• Nausea: With or with out vomiting
• Sensitivity to gentle (referred to as photophobia)
• Confusion or sleepiness

Typically there may be additionally a rash, which seems to be like pink dots and doesn’t fade when pressed on. This rash could be very attribute and a tell-tale signal. However when you’re having the above signs, you shouldn’t wait to discover a rash to get assist.

Even when it’s not meningitis, these signs imply it’s possible you’ll want medical care.

So, Why Is Everybody So Scared?

They’re not scared; they’re knowledgeable and appearing with urgency.

Bacterial meningitis can progress in a short time. Generally, inside a day. And, it continuously results in critical issues, even demise. Early remedy improves an individual’s probabilities of restoration, and treating individuals who got here into contact with the illness however don’t have signs can stop it totally.

Is There a Vaccine?

Sure. Sometimes, you get vaccinated in opposition to meningitis as a young person. In Virginia, meningitis vaccination is required for college kids attending school.

We even have vaccines for among the causes of it, like Hib, which might be given in infancy.

However some folks can’t get the vaccine. And, even when you’ve been vaccinated, there’s a small probability you can get sick.

Are There Different Methods to Shield Myself?

The entire customary hygiene practices that allow you to keep secure throughout chilly season will assist right here.

• Wash your arms
• Don’t cough on others
• Don’t share utensils, drinks, or meals

Don’t Look ahead to Remedy

At UVA, contact tracing and beginning antibiotics earlier than signs start has helped maintain this 1 case of meningitis from turning into an outbreak. Whereas not 100%, this considerably reduces the probabilities of growing meningitis.

Fixed Vigilance

Vaccination has led to a big decline within the instances of bacterial meningitis seen in the USA. However educating others on learn how to spot early signs and get remedy is one other essential measure.

Happily, on this case, no different instances had been reported.

If you’re a scholar at UVA and have extra questions on upcoming vaccination clinics, take a look at the scholar well being sickness hub for extra instructions.