11/13/2008 2:30:00 AM Parents alerted of possible meningitis case
By Valerie Petry
County health officials are awaiting test results today for a Northridge Middle School student possibly infected with meningococcal meningitis.
"We are sharing with our parents that there is a possible case but there's been nothing confirmed at this point," Northridge Principal Angela Blessing said Wednesday.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, meningitis is an infection of the spinal fluid and the fluid surrounding the brain. The disease is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment. However, bacterial varieties such as meningococcal meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. Bacterial forms of meningitis can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Vaccines are available to prevent the disease.
Meningitis is contagious and is typically passed by exchanging saliva with an infected person through kissing or sharing beverage containers, eating utensils, toothbrushes, etc. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleeplessness and discomfort looking into bright lights.
"Normal activities that a child would be involved in where it's just casual contact, most school related activities, the risk of infection is going to be very low," said Michelle Thompson, a nurse with the County Health Department.
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