The Many Faces of Meningitis: Why Vaccination is a Must

It’s one thing to protect our health against specific types of diseases that exist out there in the world. It’s another thing when one of those diseases comes in different forms and can affect an individual in more ways than one. Over the years in the health field, we have learned that certain viral diseases can transform into other illnesses under different classifications (HIV leads to AIDS for example) which leads to an awareness of the importance of receiving different types of vaccinations against diseases of all kinds.

            Meningitis is a virus that causes the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). The disease comes in different forms: viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious and cause infection in different ways. Viral meningitis develops from preexisting viruses that were already in the body. Individuals that were previously infected with mosquito-borne viruses, enteroviruses, herpes can develop viral meningitis but it is not as severe as the other types of meningitis and mostly cause flu-like symptoms. The viral meningitis goes away eventually without a need for major treatments.

            Bacterial meningitis is the worst though and can eventually lead to death or permanent damage of the brain, epilepsy, and hearing loss if the individual infected is not given immediate medical attention. Its affects and ways of infection are different depending on the age group. Premature and newborn babies come into contact with the disease when born as the bacteria inhabits the vagina. Most individuals in older age groups can become infected from contact with discharges of the nose and throat of an infected person. An individual who has suffered significant skull trauma or fractures is also at risk if the traces of the disease enter the nasal cavity and then into the meningeal space. A weak immune system may also increase risk of infection.

            The other kinds of meningitis (fungal, parasitic, non-infectious) each have their own ways of affecting the meninges (membranes of the brain and spinal cord) but the affects are just as severe in each one causing symptoms such as sudden high fever, rigidity, mental status changes, sensitivity to light and sound, rapid breathing, and in infants the bulging of their soft spot. As the disease progresses, the individual can suffer complications such as the swelling of the brain resulting in a herniate through the skull base, falling blood pressure, seizures, blood clots, hearing loss, and hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid inside the brain).

            Treatments for meningitis range from antibiotics to medicines treating symptoms such as seizures, shock, and brain swelling but it does not bring a complete end to the disease which is why meningitis vaccination is recommended as the best mechanism for prevention. Some vaccinations such as pneumococcal conjugate are considered routine childhood immunization. So if in many communities it is seen as a necessity, then we realize just important it is to not only protect our health but those of children as well. Vaccination should also be considered if you have problems with your immune system, going to travel to countries where the disease is common, surrounded by individuals who have meningitis, or are living in a college dorm room.

            Meningitis reveals itself through many different faces. So much that for many individuals it is hard to detect it in the early stages due to its flu-like symptoms. But depending on the type of meningitis, it is always important to stress the importance because it can become deadly if untreated which leads us to understand the importance as well of receiving the vaccination. It produces long-term immunity but booster shots should be taken at least every 10 years to continue producing immunity against the disease. For more info, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment if you are considering vaccination. A clean bill of health is always bliss!

Concerned Parents of School-Aged Children: Be Aware of Meningitis, its Symptoms & vaccine

There are few things worse than hearing of a meningitis breakout at an elementary school—one of those things would be having a child attending the school in question. With all the things parents need to worry about, we’d like to think that a meningitis outbreak would not even be on the list. These days, however, the newspapers seem to be filled with new outbreaks in varying areas of the country that are not considered high-risk in other ways. Thankfully, a meningitis vaccination is easily available at any certified travel clinic in your area.

Meningitis—even the word is frightening. What exactly is meningitis, who tends to catch it, and what can be done for it? Well, meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord covering called the meninges. Infection can be either viral or bacterial. Basically, what we are talking about are your everyday run of the mill germs. Sometimes the same exact germs that cause ear infections—or an awful case of winter pneumonia—will somehow infect this very tender part of the brain. Doctors are still at a loss to explain exactly why. What they do know, among many other things, is that the viral variety of meningitis tends to be much more dangerous that the bacterial type of meningitis. But thankfully, a travel shot is available to anyone who is deemed to be in a high-risk group for meningitis.

In terms of infections, a large majority of meningitis is caused by some rather common stomach viruses. Sometimes the travel doctor will not even be able to diagnose which type of virus has caused the onset of meningitis in any particular patient. It is still a rather misunderstood disease in many respects. No one—doctors included—can say with any real authority who will come down with meningitis and who will not. Many of the details are still largely questioned by the professionals involved in combating this serious illness. However, all of their hard work has resulted in a vaccination, and for this we should be very thankful.

Who exactly is in the high-risk group of contracting meningitis? Although meningitis affects individuals of all ages, it is most commonly seen in children (and in older people, age sixty-five and higher). People who have weakened immune systems, perhaps due to certain types of cancers or auto immune diseases are also high risk, as are individuals who smoke and who are even victims of second-hand smoke in some cases. Thankfully, a vaccination does exist to help protect everyone in these high risk groups.

In recent years, meningitis has reared its ugly head at elementary schools, college campuses, and anywhere else young (or much older)people tend to be grouped together. Meningitis strikes between 1,500 to 3,000 Americans each and every year and causes an approximate 300 to 500 fatalities. Symptoms of this dread disease include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, and nausea. In fact, many of these so-called symptoms seem like issues that arise due to many other medical problems—and they are. This is just another reason why it is so very important to visit a doctor and be aware of the meningitis vaccine if you are in a high-risk group.

If you live in the New York City area and are interested in learning more about meningitis or any other serious health issue, please log onto TravelClinicNY.com. This certified clinic is located just several blocks from Grand Central Station and is discreet and affordable. Simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange a convenient appointment during the week, some weekday nights or even on the weekend. Stay vigilant and on top of your health for a long fulfilling lifetime of pleasure and adventure!