Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. The disease is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood.

Meningococcal disease is transmitted through the air via droplets of respiratory secretions and direct contact with an infected person. Direct contact, for these purposes, is defined as oral contact with shared items such as cigarettes, water bottles, musical instruments or drinking glasses or through intimate contact such as kissing. See similar questions...

In the past, the attack rate of endemic meningococcal disease was highest among children 6 to 36 months of age. Lately, however, the risk appears to be shifting toward older children and adolescents, with a rising number of outbreaks in schools, universities, and other organization-based settings, according to the American College Health Association (ACHA). In fact, over half of the outbreaks from 1992 to 1996 occurred in schools, colleges, universities, and similar settings4,5. See similar questions...

Meningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of meningitis in the United States. Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result. See similar questions...

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice has also recently recommended giving the vaccine to all 11 and 12 year old children, or unvaccinated teens at high school entry. Because these are only recommendations and not state of Ohio requirements, most insurance companies do not cover this immunization. The meningococcal vaccine is not considered useful in early meningococcal outbreak management. See similar questions...

Yes, a safe and effective vaccine is available. The vaccine is eighty-five percent to one hundred percent effective in preventing four kinds of bacteria (serogroups A, C, Y, W-135) that cause about seventy percent of the disease in the United States. The vaccine is safe, with mild and infrequent side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. After vaccination, immunity develops within seven to ten days remains effective for approximately three to five years. See similar questions...

On average about 200,000 people in the U.S. get sick each year from the flu. About 36,000 people die in the U.S. each year from problems caused by the flu. Some years may be milder or more severe than others. See similar questions...

Meningococcal disease strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year and is responsible for approximately 150 to 300 deaths. Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 30 percent of all cases of meningitis. Approximately 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur on college campuses each year, and five to 15 students will die as a result. See similar questions...

of August 15, 2003, In accordance with NYS Public Health Law 2167, all students enrolled at SCCC, both matriculated and non-matriculated, are required to acknowledge that they have received information about meningococcal disease and vaccination, and in addition, indicate that they either have received the appropriate vaccination within the past 10 years, or have read the information, understand the risks of not receiving the vaccine and have decided not to obtain the immunization against mening. See similar questions...

The vaccine helps prevent memingitis bacteria from attacking the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. Although, you are not required to take the vaccine in order to enroll to college, by law you must sign-off a waiver indicating you received information about it. See similar questions...

Recent evidence shows the epidemiology of meningococcal disease is changing with a majority of cases (65 percent) in the college age group caused by either serotype C, Y, or W-135, which are all vaccine-preventable. See similar questions...

We recommend Meningococcal meningitis immunization for freshmen living in residence halls who do not have medical or personal contraindications to vaccination. In general, the overall campus student population age 18-24 is not at increased risk for this disease compared to same-age non-students. A slight increased risk has been demonstrated for upperclassmen in residence hall and freshmen living outside of the residence halls. However that increase is quite small. See similar questions...

Statistics show that 68 Canadians died of alcohol poisoning in 2002. However, that number is generally considered to be a low estimate. Because doctors and coroners are not required to report alcohol poisoning, many cases may be reported as asphyxiation (choking on vomit) or heart failure, without mention of alcohol as the cause. See similar questions...

Yes. Before World War II, most people with SCI died within weeks of their injury due to urinary dysfunction, respiratory infection, or bedsores. Now antibiotics, materials such as plastics and latex, and better procedures for dealing with the everyday issues of living with SCI enable many people to approach the lifespan of non-disabled individuals. Other than level of injury, the type of rehab facility used is the greatest indicator of long-term survival. See similar questions...