Teenagers are dying from Meningitis (Meningococcal disease) even though it is a rare disease. If one teenager dies it is one to many. But it is not one teenager that is getting the disease or dying. It may be hard to believe since we really don't hear about this disease much but over 3000 teenagers or young adults will get this illness each year and of them three hundred will have their lives cut short. They will somehow, somewhere pick up this little bacteria and get meningitis and sometimes within 48 hours of contracting this terrible disease they will die.
Meningitis is a common name for infections that take place in the membranes (called meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by bacteria or virus. One of the most serious forms of meningitis is caused by bacteria known as meningococci.
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How do you catch meningitis?
There are many ways to get the disease and we could go on and on, but the key is that it comes from having close contact with another person. The other person unfortunately does not even have to have an active case of the disease, they can simply be carrying it around, letting it live in them without ever getting the disease, a simple kiss can pass it to you.
Teenagers are especially prone to this killer for many reasons
They don't define their personal space well and live and behave closely with others
They go to events that put them in groups of large people that are close in proximity
They share everything, candy, soda, food and drinks
Teens are more likely to spend longer times doing fun things like kissing
Teens sleeping patterns and whom they sleep with are varied and irregular
Teens are busy and less likely to get enough sleep and so their bodies will become run down
Any or all these symptoms can be present:
Very high temperature called a fever
Severe and almost debilitating headache
Your neck gets stiff and it is hard and painful to put your chin to your chest
You may feel like throwing up
You start to vomit
It is painful to be in a room with the lights on, it simply hurts
The infection may cause confusion and disorientation
Your body may shut down and convulse
Cold and mottled skin color
Your legs may begin to throb and ache
How can you prevent meningitis?
A vaccination can help prevent it but even that is not an absolute surety. The best way to not get this deadly disease is learn to avoid those things that transmit it. So though it may be difficult to do, no more sharing of everything in your life unless it is your dreams.
If you get it how do you treat it?
Go to the Doctor. Go to the hospital Emergency Room. Get Help Immediately!
They will test you to see if you have meningitis and if so if it is viral or bacteria.
You will need a spinal tap. They will take fluid from your spine and analysis it.
If you have the disease and it is bacterial they will immediately begin heavy intravenous doses of an antibiotic straight into your vein.
For viral meningitis they will do supportive care as antibiotics do not work on viruses.
How does meningitis affect you?
Sever swelling in the brain and spinal cord
Blood sepsis
Because of the above, if you survive you may have
Damage to the brain that is long lasting
You can lose fingers, toes, arms and legs
You may have some hearing loss
Your kidneys may not function normally
Fear, panic and anxiety may become a new part of your life.
The lasting effects of meningitis can and will change your life forever. It is important to protect those you love from this disease. Keep well informed, vote when needed; speak up when you don't want to. Be your teenagers advocate. Most of all get them vaccinated, because right now teenagers are dying from meningitis.
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