Polk County Issues Bacterial Meningitis Health Alert

Photo Courtesy meningitis.org

(Dallas) - Polk County health officials have issued a public health alert after a 15-year-old contracted bacterial meningitis on Feb. 23rd.

Officials say the person is recovering at a local hospital, and all contacts have been given preventative medications.

Bacterial meningitis is a life threatening illness requiring immediate care. It causes swelling of the brainstem and spinal cord. Diagnosis is made by testing the spinal fluid (spinal tap) or by culturing the blood. Some of the most common bacteria causing this illness are:

Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) Hemophilus influenzae (H. flu) rare Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumo)

*N. meningitidis is the bacteria that commonly causes meningitis in Oregon and the USA. *H. flu is now rare since a vaccine became available in 1990. All children should receive this vaccine before age 5. *S. pneumo is a bacterium common in ear and sinus infections of children.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

People become ill very quickly.

Symptoms to watch for are:

* High fever occurring suddenly

* Intense headache, and/or stiff neck

* A pinpoint rash or bruising often appears where pressure to the skin occurs (Where socks or underwear rub). It may appear as pink or purple raised areas that become larger.

* Fever along with head ache or rash is an important sign that this person needs medical evaluation right away. This is an EMERGENCY!

HOW IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS SPREAD?

Bacteria are common and live on the mucous membranes in our mouth and throat. They sometimes are spread from person to person and may cause illness. Fortunately, bacterial meningitis is not nearly as contagious as the common cold or influenza. It is NOT spread simply by being around a person with bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is spread:

***** Through contact with saliva.

***** Sneezing or coughing directly in another person`s face.

***** Four or more hours of direct face to face contact during the week prior to a person becoming ill with bacterial meningitis.

Rarely, the bacteria can be spread by sharing eating utensils, cigarettes, or toothbrushes, and can also occur when people sleep near each other or share a household.

HOW SOON AFTER EXPOSURE DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?

Usually 3 to 4 days, but may range from 2 to 10 days.

HOW LONG ARE PEOPLE CONTAGIOUS WITH BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

People are contagious as long as bacteria are present in the nose or throat, especially during the 3 days before symptoms begin. Bacteria usually disappear 24 hours after the antibiotics are started. People exposed to someone with bacterial meningitis 7 or more days before the infected person becomes ill, are NOT likely to become ill themselves.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CASE OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS OCCURS?

Local health departments are notified when a doctor suspects bacterial meningitis and when laboratories culture N. meningitidis from blood or spinal fluid. Local health department staff then interview the ill person, the person`s parents or any other people who may have information about possible sources of infection and people who may have been exposed, including:

***** household members. ***** day care classmates. ***** close, face to face contacts that were in the same room or other enclosed space with the infected person for at least 4 hours (all together) within 7 days before the infected person became ill. ***** And anyone directly exposed to the patients saliva (by kissing, mouth to mouth resuscitation, etc.).

HOW ARE POTENTIALY EXPOSED PEOPLE PROTECTED FROM BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

Since this illness is caused by bacteria, preventive medicine includes antibiotics.

IS THERE A VACCINE TO PREVENT BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

Vaccines are approved in the US to prevent the three main types of meningitis. These vaccines can be given to anyone over the age of 2 years who is not allergic to the vaccine. If you have questions about the vaccine, please contact Polk County Public Health at (503) 623-8175 and ask for the communicable disease nurse.

For the most current local health related information call the Public Health Information Line at (503) 623-8176.

It is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.