Hot Topic: Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria that cause meningitis are contagious, and with a confirmed case and 2 suspect cases of bacterial meningitis in Chatham County, it may be helpful for people to know the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis are generally abrupt and include: fever, headache, stiff neck, and a rash. Other symptoms such as confusion, sleepiness, lethargy, or discomfort looking into bright lights are also common in some patients. Anyone with symptoms of meningitis should see a doctor immediately.
A child in Chatham County was recently diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, and the Chatham and Effingham County Health Departments are providing antibiotics and education to people who came in close contact with that child. In addition, two other children who attended the summer camp are being treated as suspect cases. The children are at an area hospital and responding to treatment. Bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in death, brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability. However, if treated early, antibiotics can be effective against bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics can also prevent close contacts from getting the disease.
The child attended summer camp at the West Chatham YMCA in Pooler, which is working closely with the Chatham County Health Department to identify and treat the 270 children and 30 counselors who may have been exposed. The Health Department will be at the West Chatham YMCA in Pooler this afternoon to begin giving the first of 4 doses of antibiotics and to talk with parents. Some of the children who attended the camp are from Effingham County and recently began school, so the Effingham County Health Department will also be working with school nurses to ensure those children from the camp are treated and parents are notified. At this time, the Health Department does not feel it is necessary to provide treatment to anyone other than close contacts who attended the summer camp, and family members of the ill individual.
The bacteria that cause meningitis are normally spread through respiratory and throat secretions among people who have had close or prolonged contact with a patient with meningitis. People in the same household, or anyone with direct contact with a patient’s oral secretions – coughing or kissing – would be considered at increased risk of acquiring infection. However, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as things like the common cold or flu and are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been.
To learn more, download this Meningitis Fact Sheet and visit the CDC website.
Download a copy of the letter being provided to parents of children at the West Chatham YMCA summer camp.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/bacterial_meningitis.php