JimO
Well-known member
Source: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/health/news-article.aspx?storyid=141559&catid=10
Isn't meningitis associated with some A/H1N1 deaths?
Article:
NASSAU COUNTY, FL -- Health experts are retracing the steps of a family of a 13-year-old who died last week from meningitis.
The Nassau County Health Department is trying to determine where and how the child contracted the illness.
Environmental Health Director Wade Sparkman says the teen was not a part of any group activity, like a camp or sports program, and likely only came in contact with his family and friends.
"We take it as a public health concern, because someone was effected by it. We definitely don't see it very often. It might be isolated and it might be that the teen came into contact with the organism. We don't know where. We are dilligently pursuing the investigation," Sparkman said.
Sparkman says he can't remember the last time someone in Nassau County was killed by meningitis.
"It's rare that it's fatal," Sparkman said.
Sparkman couldn't say whether this is a case of viral or bacterial meningitis.
The case does not appear to be meningococcal meningitis, which is well-known and the most serious form of bacterial meningitis.
Therefore, no vaccines have been recommended.
The child became sick on July 6 and died on Friday, July 10.
The health department says that meningitis is a rare infection that is characterized by sudden onset of fever, headaches, and a stiff neck. Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and altered mental status all follow the initial symptoms.
The county has sent samples to the Centers for Disease Control for testing, and expects to hear more on the case in about a week.
Isn't meningitis associated with some A/H1N1 deaths?
Article:
NASSAU COUNTY, FL -- Health experts are retracing the steps of a family of a 13-year-old who died last week from meningitis.
The Nassau County Health Department is trying to determine where and how the child contracted the illness.
Environmental Health Director Wade Sparkman says the teen was not a part of any group activity, like a camp or sports program, and likely only came in contact with his family and friends.
"We take it as a public health concern, because someone was effected by it. We definitely don't see it very often. It might be isolated and it might be that the teen came into contact with the organism. We don't know where. We are dilligently pursuing the investigation," Sparkman said.
Sparkman says he can't remember the last time someone in Nassau County was killed by meningitis.
"It's rare that it's fatal," Sparkman said.
Sparkman couldn't say whether this is a case of viral or bacterial meningitis.
The case does not appear to be meningococcal meningitis, which is well-known and the most serious form of bacterial meningitis.
Therefore, no vaccines have been recommended.
The child became sick on July 6 and died on Friday, July 10.
The health department says that meningitis is a rare infection that is characterized by sudden onset of fever, headaches, and a stiff neck. Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and altered mental status all follow the initial symptoms.
The county has sent samples to the Centers for Disease Control for testing, and expects to hear more on the case in about a week.
em
