Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_259084827.html
Published: September 16, 2009 08:47 am
Meningitis case reported at Corbin Intermediate
Times-Tribune Staff Report
A Corbin Intermediate School student has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, school officials confirmed Tuesday morning.
?The student is under a doctor?s care and is reportedly doing better,? stated a letter that was sent home with students Tuesday. ?The student became ill last week and has not attended school this week.?
School officials stated they have been in contact with the Whitley County Health Department and have taken precautions at the school, including extensive cleaning, encouraging hand washing and avoiding contact among students.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, viral meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, which can be caused by different viruses.
The symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis ? which can be fatal or have serious after-effects such as brain damage, hearing loss, limb amputation or learning disabilities ? but viral meningitis is usually less severe and normally clears up without specific treatment.
?Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination (which can occur when changing a diaper or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards). Enteroviruses can also be spread through respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. Other viruses, such as mumps and varicella-zoster virus, may also be spread through direct or indirect contact with saliva, sputum, or mucus of an infected person. Contact with an infected person may increase your chance of becoming infected with the virus that made them sick; however you will have a small chance of developing meningitis as a complication of the illness,? the CDC Web site states.
A commonly prescribed treatment for viral meningitis is bed rest, plenty of fluids and medicines to relieve fever and headache.
More information on viral meningitis can be found at www.cdc.gov/meningitis.
Published: September 16, 2009 08:47 am
Meningitis case reported at Corbin Intermediate
Times-Tribune Staff Report
A Corbin Intermediate School student has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, school officials confirmed Tuesday morning.
?The student is under a doctor?s care and is reportedly doing better,? stated a letter that was sent home with students Tuesday. ?The student became ill last week and has not attended school this week.?
School officials stated they have been in contact with the Whitley County Health Department and have taken precautions at the school, including extensive cleaning, encouraging hand washing and avoiding contact among students.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, viral meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, which can be caused by different viruses.
The symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis ? which can be fatal or have serious after-effects such as brain damage, hearing loss, limb amputation or learning disabilities ? but viral meningitis is usually less severe and normally clears up without specific treatment.
?Enteroviruses, the most common cause of viral meningitis, are most often spread from person to person through fecal contamination (which can occur when changing a diaper or using the toilet and not properly washing hands afterwards). Enteroviruses can also be spread through respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus) of an infected person. Other viruses, such as mumps and varicella-zoster virus, may also be spread through direct or indirect contact with saliva, sputum, or mucus of an infected person. Contact with an infected person may increase your chance of becoming infected with the virus that made them sick; however you will have a small chance of developing meningitis as a complication of the illness,? the CDC Web site states.
A commonly prescribed treatment for viral meningitis is bed rest, plenty of fluids and medicines to relieve fever and headache.
More information on viral meningitis can be found at www.cdc.gov/meningitis.