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Meningitis James R. Ginder, MS, WEMT,PI, CHES Health Education Specialist Hamilton County Health Department www.co.hamilton.in.us ---PAGE BREAK--- The Student will be able to……… • define what meningitis is • explain the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis • list three signs and of meningitis • identify how meningitis is transmitted • recall three ways to prevent meningitis ---PAGE BREAK--- What is Meningitis? • An infection of the fluid around the spinal cord and the fluid that covers the brain Source: Mayo Foundation ---PAGE BREAK--- Is Meningitis Contagious? • Some forms of bacterial meningitis are contagious. The bacteria is spread by the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions through such things as coughing kissing. None of the bacteria that causes meningitis are as contagious as the common cold or the flu. Meningitis is not spread by casual contact or by breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. Source: CDC, Meningococcal Disease ---PAGE BREAK--- Meningitis Information • The first definitive description of the disease was in Switzerland in 1805 (Red Book) • Meningitis can either be viral or bacterial • Most common type of Meningitis is viral • Bacterial form of meningitis is extremely dangerous, fast moving and can be fatal • Viral meningitis has similar signs and of bacterial meningitis, but viral is not as deadly nor as debilitating as bacterial ---PAGE BREAK--- Brad Pitt diagnosed with viral meningitis LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Brad Pitt has been diagnosed with a mild case of viral meningitis and was released from the hospital on Wednesday, his publicist said. Brad Pitt's publicist said the actor is at home "and doing well" after being diagnosed with viral meningitis. Pitt, 41, had checked himself into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday night complaining of flu-like He went home Wednesday afternoon, publicist Cindy Guagenti said. "The actor is at home and doing well," she said in a statement. Most patients recover from viral meningitis in a week. Severe illness and death is uncommon, according to the Centers For Disease Control. Source:2005 The Associated Press ---PAGE BREAK--- Organisms that cause meningitis • Haemophilus influenza • Streptococcus pneumoniae • Neisseria meningitidis Source: www.brown.edu ---PAGE BREAK--- Most common types of Meningitis • Streptococcus pneumoniae • Neisseria meningitidis Source: www.uni-wuerzburg.de ---PAGE BREAK--- Healthy Brain ---PAGE BREAK--- www.immunizationed.org Brain Infected with Meningitis Brain Infected with Meningitis ---PAGE BREAK--- Meningitis Information • Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 cases of meningococcal disease are reported each year in the U.S. (CDC) • Infants <12 months of age have the highest rates of disease • 1 out of 10 people who develop the disease will die of bacterial Meningitis (CDC) ---PAGE BREAK--- • 10 percent of the population are believed to carry N.meningitidis in their throat and nasal passages • People who “carry” n.meningitidis can pass it to others • If not treated early, bacterial meningitis can lead to death or permanent disability • Meningitis can occur any time of the year ---PAGE BREAK--- Transmission • Direct contact with an infected person (kissing, sneezing & sharing items, drinking glasses and lip gloss • Bacteria or virus attaches itself to the mucus lining of the nose and throat, where they can multiply • When the bacteria or virus penetrates the mucus lining and enters the bloodstream, they move quickly ---PAGE BREAK--- Risk Groups • Neonates (28 days after birth) • Infants/Children • Adolescents • College students • Adults • People who live in crowded living situations • People who have compromised immune system • People who are on immune-suppressant medication • People who have no Spleen • Certain genetic risk factors • Military recruits • Smokers • Race/Low social- economic status ---PAGE BREAK--- Risk Factors for College Students • Age 15-24 years old • Geographic Diversity • Stress • Living conditions, (freshman who live in dorms are at increased risk by 7-10%) • Smoking • Bar patronages and alcohol consumption • Caucasian race with a history of urinary tract infections Source: Tina Q. Tan, M.D. Associate Professor of Pediatrics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University ---PAGE BREAK--- Signs and of Viral & Bacterial Meningitis • Irritability • Fever • Headache/Seizures • Nausea/Vomiting • Stiff neck • Sensitivity to light • Rash ---PAGE BREAK--- Source:www.students.stedwards.edu/ssamuel/ ---PAGE BREAK--- Signs and of viral& Bacterial Meningitis in Infants • Irritability • Lethargy/listlessness • Feeding problems/weak sucking • High pitched crying • Vomiting • Rash • Diarrhea • Respiratory distress • Temperature problems (high or low temp.) • Jaundice (yellow) • A bulging fontanel (found in 1/3 of all cases) ---PAGE BREAK--- Source: www.meningitis-trust.org.nz/about_meningitis ---PAGE BREAK--- Rash • A rash can occur at any age • Can be on any part of the body • The rash is purple in color and will NOT turn white when pressed on • The rash means that the bacteria has moved to the bloodstream • The person needs to be taken to the HOSPITAL WITHOUT DELAY Source: www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/divisions/labs/... ---PAGE BREAK--- Viral Meningitis (Aseptic Meningitis) • Viral meningitis is common but rarely a serious infection • Caused by a number of different viruses, such as: Herpes simplex, Varicella-zoster (chicken pox), Epstein-Barr • Most common cause of viral meningitis is Enteroviruses ---PAGE BREAK--- • Often occurring in the summer and fall • Some people only have for 7-10 days while others for 3-4 months • Viral meningitis is found in stool, which accounts for some cases in children who are not toilet trained and adults who change diapers ---PAGE BREAK--- • Incubation time is 3-7 days from the time of infection until the development of • The virus can spread 3 days after infection until 10 days after the development of ---PAGE BREAK--- Diagnosis of Viral Meningitis • Blood cultures • CT scan • Lumbar puncture Lumbar puncture Source: health.enotes.com ---PAGE BREAK--- Treatment for Viral Meningitis • No specific treatment • Rest • Relaxation • Fluids • Medication for fever or headache ---PAGE BREAK--- Prevention for Viral Meningitis • There is no current vaccine for viral meningitis • The BEST prevention is GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE • DO NOT SHARE objects that could be contaminated ---PAGE BREAK--- Handwashing Source :www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/germs-microbes_e.php ---PAGE BREAK--- Bacterial Meningitis • Caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniqe and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) • Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of meningitis in older children and young adults in the US • Haemophilus influenza b was the leading cause of meningitis among children under 5 years old • 10-20% of the survivors will have some long term problem such as: * Hearing Loss * Limb Loss * Mental Retardation * Brain Swelling ---PAGE BREAK--- Other Information For Bacterial Meningitis • Incubation is 3-7 days from the time of infection until the development of • Onset is often more sudden than viral • The bacteria can spread 3 days after infection until 10 days after the development of ---PAGE BREAK--- Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis • Blood cultures • CT scan • Lumbar puncture Lumbar puncture Source: health.enotes.com ---PAGE BREAK--- Treatment for Bacterial Meningitis • Hospitalization • IV antibiotics • Supportive Care • If not treated, person can DIE ---PAGE BREAK--- Close Contacts • People who have had close or prolonged contact with a person who has Neisseria meningitidis or Hib • People in the same households, day-care centers, or anyone with direct contact with a person’s oral secretions could be at risk for developing meningitis • People who qualify as a close contact of a person with N. meningitidis should receive antibiotics to prevent them from developing the disease • Antibiotics for contact of a person with Hib are no longer recommended if all contacts 4 years of age or younger are fully vaccinated against Hib ---PAGE BREAK--- Prevention for Meningitis • Vaccination Haemophilus Influenza Type b (Hib) Pneumococcal Conjugate Meniningococcal conjugate (MCV4) • GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE • DO NOT share objects that could be contaminated ---PAGE BREAK--- Immunization schedule = Meningitis vaccine Source: MMWR January5, 2007 ---PAGE BREAK--- = Meningitis vaccine Source: MMWR January5, 2007 ---PAGE BREAK--- Vaccine Information Statement Source: CDC, National immunization Program ---PAGE BREAK--- Vaccine Information Statement Source: CDC, National immunization Program ---PAGE BREAK--- Vaccine Information Statement Source: CDC, National immunization Program ---PAGE BREAK--- “The American College Health Association supports the meningococcal vaccination recommendation issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This recommendation states that all incoming college freshman living in dormitories (or residence halls) receive the conjugate meningococcal vaccine that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” Source: American College Health Association ---PAGE BREAK--- Legislation and college Studetns Source; Immunization Action Coalitation ---PAGE BREAK--- • McKenzie Hartwig attended high school in Pinedale, Wyoming and graduated in 2001. McKenzie was a beautiful, vivacious 18-year old, who was named Wyoming All State in Volleyball, Basketball and Track in 2001. She played the flute and piccolo; could speak two languages, loved to travel, and was an honor student. She was a freshman at the University of South Dakota on a volleyball scholarship with business and foreign language classes. In August, 2001, while attending a volleyball tournament in North Dakota with her college teammates, she suddenly became ill and died that same evening. McKenzie died of a vaccine-preventable disease! Source: The McKenzie Meningitis Foundation ---PAGE BREAK--- Resources….. • American College Health Association www.acha.org/ • Center for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov • Indiana State Department of Health www.in.gov/isdh/ • Immunization Action coalition www.immunize.org/ • Meningitis Foundation of America www.musa.org/