A Meningitis Tragedy - Get Vaccinated!

Tragically, an Ohio university student, whose home is just a town away from mine, died last week from bacterial meningitis. The loss of a teenager to a disease is heartbreaking, particularly when there is a safe and effective meningitis vaccine available. I still remember medical school lectures where professors warned us that bacterial meningitis can kill a person in hours. They showed us slides (there was no power point back then) of the characteristic skin rash of meningitis, and admonished us never to forget it. I haven't.

Although the CDC advises meningitis vaccination for college students living in dorms, Ohio does not require this. In fact, in Ohio only 38% of teenagers have received the meningitis vaccine, below the national average. Health experts strongly urge that all college freshman be vaccinated prior to arriving at school. An Ohio bill was introduced to mandate meningitis vaccination for college students, but it has not moved forward in the legislature. Most states, in fact, do not require meningitis vaccination for college students. We don't need a law in order for us to do the right thing.

Vaccinations are one of the greatest triumphs of modern medicine. They prevent terrible diseases with very low risk and expense. Meningitis is a threat both here and abroad. International travelers to the 'meningitis belt' in Africa, for example, should discuss this vaccine with their travel doctor.

If you are traveling abroad, meet with a travel doctor weeks before departure. In addition to necessary travel vaccinations, you will receive important travel safety advice.

Of course, there is no law that forces international travelers, or any of us, to receive the meningitis vaccine, or other important travel vaccinations. Does there have to be?

Michael Kirsch, MD is a full time practicing physician and freelance author. He writes about controversies in the medical profession and about travel health and safety. He is a founder of Travel Clinics of America. For more information on travel vaccinations, immunizations and trip advice, visit: http://www.TravelClinicsofAmerica.com

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Bacterial Meningitis Symptoms

Before we start talking about the manifestations, we should really know what is meningitis. Meningitis is in fact an infectious condition to blame for inflammation of the areas around the human brain and spinal-cord, named meninges.

If we take a look at meningitis brought on by bacteria and the one triggered by a virus, we can say that the bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous. It is widely known that Bacterial meningitis is among the most frequent form of this disease and it also is a huge danger to the health and well being for the affected person. This illness will cause the tissues around the human brain to begin bloating and raises the probabilities for the individual to have paralysis and even stroke. Since meningitis is definitely a severe disease it's essential to know the actual signs and symptoms.

The period between the infection and the symptoms for the bacterial meningitis is often 2-3 days. There were times when the symptoms and signs have appeared a couple of hours right after the infection. Several of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis are generally temperature and head aches, but unfortunately a number of other conditions develop the described symptoms. But there's one indication that is unique for meningitis and that's a progressively improving firmness in your neck which may be so significant that it could result in significant difficulties. As for the different signs or symptoms we can mention the following: uncertainty, advancing sleepiness, being easily annoyed and perhaps, even stroke.

Besides adults, children are also affected by this unique disease and the symptoms which often appear are generally becoming easily irritated, nausea, bad feeding and also lack of exercise. The signs and symptoms stated previously can as well be noticed on infants however their recognition is quite a bit tricky. Some other signs and symptoms are also present and you should know all of them, too. These are sweating excessively, and light sensitivity, vomiting and sleepiness. And it's always very good to understand the signs and symptoms of virtually any disease, not only for meningitis, due to the fact by doing so it is possible to react early and the chances of healing are very much greater.

Find all information about Early Meningitis Symptoms

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