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Source: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/243562
Meningitis claims 2 lives here
State Department of Health unable to provide many details
By JANE HOLAHAN, Staff Writer
Two Lancaster County residents with meningitis died in the past several days, state Department of Health officials said Friday.
"One appears to be viral, and one appears to be bacterial," Holli Senior, deputy press secretary for the health department, said.
The person with viral meningitis might have had an underlying health condition that caused the death, Senior said.
"People usually recover fully from viral meningitis five to 15 days after symptoms start," she said.
Bacterial meningitis is more dangerous and can be spread from person to person through coughing, kissing and sneezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It usually results from a viral or bacterial infection.
According to the CDC, bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. In extreme cases, such as the one in Lancaster County, it can cause death. Common symptoms include high fever, headaches and a stiff neck, according to experts. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness.
Symptoms, which often seem similar to the flu, can appear in several hours or over one or two days.
Viral meningitis symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness and nausea.
People with symptoms of either type are urged to contact their doctor immediately.
When caught early, most bacterial meningitis infections are treated successfully with antibiotics. But health experts say some extreme cases of bacterial meningitis are so deadly that little can be done to stop them.
State law prohibits the Department of Health from releasing the names or identifying traits of the victims, including where they lived or the dates of their deaths.
"When cases like this are reported in the Pennsylvania network, they would be followed up by an investigation to make sure close contacts and individuals at risk are identified and treated," Senior said.
"A vaccine is available," she added. "We encourage people to protect themselves and their loved ones."
jholahan@lnpnews.com
Meningitis claims 2 lives here
State Department of Health unable to provide many details
By JANE HOLAHAN, Staff Writer
Two Lancaster County residents with meningitis died in the past several days, state Department of Health officials said Friday.
"One appears to be viral, and one appears to be bacterial," Holli Senior, deputy press secretary for the health department, said.
The person with viral meningitis might have had an underlying health condition that caused the death, Senior said.
"People usually recover fully from viral meningitis five to 15 days after symptoms start," she said.
Bacterial meningitis is more dangerous and can be spread from person to person through coughing, kissing and sneezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It usually results from a viral or bacterial infection.
According to the CDC, bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. In extreme cases, such as the one in Lancaster County, it can cause death. Common symptoms include high fever, headaches and a stiff neck, according to experts. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness.
Symptoms, which often seem similar to the flu, can appear in several hours or over one or two days.
Viral meningitis symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness and nausea.
People with symptoms of either type are urged to contact their doctor immediately.
When caught early, most bacterial meningitis infections are treated successfully with antibiotics. But health experts say some extreme cases of bacterial meningitis are so deadly that little can be done to stop them.
State law prohibits the Department of Health from releasing the names or identifying traits of the victims, including where they lived or the dates of their deaths.
"When cases like this are reported in the Pennsylvania network, they would be followed up by an investigation to make sure close contacts and individuals at risk are identified and treated," Senior said.
"A vaccine is available," she added. "We encourage people to protect themselves and their loved ones."
jholahan@lnpnews.com