Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.recordernewspapers.com/a...don_review/news/doc4ab7e7b727e89045499155.txt
Two students at North contract viral meningitis
Students return to school after getting better
By DOMINIC SERRAO, Contributing Writer
Published: Sep 25th, 6:59 AM
CLINTON TWP. ‑ Two students at North Hunterdon High School had confirmed cases of viral meningitis, the less severe form of meningitis that typically clears up on its own.
click here
They were back at school starting last Monday Sept. 14, according to Maren Smagala, spokeswoman for the school district.
The students began to show symptoms on Thursday, Sept. 3, and were out of school the week of Sept. 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the exclusion period, the amount of time people with certain illnesses should stay away from others, for viral meningitis as seven to 10 days.
Superintendent Charles M. Shaddow informed parents about the suspected cases on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The cases were confirmed by lab tests performed by the Hunterdon County Health Department, said Carl Rachel, the department?s spokesman.
Smagala said the only connection school officials could find between the students ?is that they sat next to each other during a grade level meeting in the auditorium on Sept. 2.?
The students happened to go to the same physician, who notified the county health department, which in turn informed the high school?s health office, she said.
Karen Alelis, the county epidemiologist, said, ?The county health department typically looks for clusters of cases.? These cases of viral meningitis aren?t uncommon, she said.
According to the CDC, meningitis, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The severity of the illness and the treatment differ depending on whether the meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium. Viral meningitis, the less severe of the two, clears up without any specific treatment.
Bacterial meningitis may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities.
Common symptoms of viral meningitis in adults include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, a lack of appetite, sleepiness, and discomfort looking into bright lights.
Respiratory Secretions
Alelis said the virus may be spread through contact with respiratory secretions (saliva or mucus) of an infected person. This usually happens through kissing or shaking hands with an infected person or by touching something they have handled and then rubbing one?s nose or mouth. The viruses also can spread directly when infected people cough or sneeze, sending droplets containing the virus into the air.
Alelis added, ?Preventing the spread of meningitis is similar to preventing the spread of the common flu.?
The high school is already taking precautions to prevent the spread of germs and viruses because of the threat of swine flu. Smagala said that the school custodians are sanitizing the most commonly touched areas in the school such as drinking fountains, doorknobs, toilet handles and cafeteria tables.
?We have been encouraging students to cover their coughs, wash their hands with soap and water, and not to share drinking glasses or utensils,? said Smagala.
The school does not have any other cases of viral meningitis at this time.
Two students at North contract viral meningitis
Students return to school after getting better
By DOMINIC SERRAO, Contributing Writer
Published: Sep 25th, 6:59 AM
CLINTON TWP. ‑ Two students at North Hunterdon High School had confirmed cases of viral meningitis, the less severe form of meningitis that typically clears up on its own.
click here
They were back at school starting last Monday Sept. 14, according to Maren Smagala, spokeswoman for the school district.
The students began to show symptoms on Thursday, Sept. 3, and were out of school the week of Sept. 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the exclusion period, the amount of time people with certain illnesses should stay away from others, for viral meningitis as seven to 10 days.
Superintendent Charles M. Shaddow informed parents about the suspected cases on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The cases were confirmed by lab tests performed by the Hunterdon County Health Department, said Carl Rachel, the department?s spokesman.
Smagala said the only connection school officials could find between the students ?is that they sat next to each other during a grade level meeting in the auditorium on Sept. 2.?
The students happened to go to the same physician, who notified the county health department, which in turn informed the high school?s health office, she said.
Karen Alelis, the county epidemiologist, said, ?The county health department typically looks for clusters of cases.? These cases of viral meningitis aren?t uncommon, she said.
According to the CDC, meningitis, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The severity of the illness and the treatment differ depending on whether the meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium. Viral meningitis, the less severe of the two, clears up without any specific treatment.
Bacterial meningitis may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities.
Common symptoms of viral meningitis in adults include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, a lack of appetite, sleepiness, and discomfort looking into bright lights.
Respiratory Secretions
Alelis said the virus may be spread through contact with respiratory secretions (saliva or mucus) of an infected person. This usually happens through kissing or shaking hands with an infected person or by touching something they have handled and then rubbing one?s nose or mouth. The viruses also can spread directly when infected people cough or sneeze, sending droplets containing the virus into the air.
Alelis added, ?Preventing the spread of meningitis is similar to preventing the spread of the common flu.?
The high school is already taking precautions to prevent the spread of germs and viruses because of the threat of swine flu. Smagala said that the school custodians are sanitizing the most commonly touched areas in the school such as drinking fountains, doorknobs, toilet handles and cafeteria tables.
?We have been encouraging students to cover their coughs, wash their hands with soap and water, and not to share drinking glasses or utensils,? said Smagala.
The school does not have any other cases of viral meningitis at this time.