Dear MSAD #51 Families, I am writing to let you know that a student who attends Mabel I. Wilson School has been hospitalized with viral meningitis over the weekend. The district is gathering as much information as possible and is following established protocols as outlined by the Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC). I have provided important information from the CDC in this email. Please note that though meningitis can be serious in all cases, viral (as opposed to bacterial) meningitis is typically less severe. Information from the CDC Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. It is often less severe than bacterial meningitis, and most people usually get better on their own (without treatment). However, infants younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. CausesNon-polio enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis in the United States, especially from summer to fall when these viruses spread most often. However, only a small number of people who get infected with enteroviruses will actually develop meningitis. Other viruses that can cause meningitis are
People at RiskYou can get viral meningitis at any age. However, some people have a higher risk of getting the disease, including
Infants younger than 1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. TransmissionIf you have close contact with a person who has viral meningitis, you may become infected with the virus that made that person sick. However, you are not likely to develop meningitis as a complication of the illness. Viruses that can cause meningitis spread in different ways. Learn more about how the following viruses spread by visiting CDC’s websites:
SymptomsCommon symptoms in infants
Common symptoms in adults
Most people with viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10 days. Initial symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those for bacterial meningitis. However, bacterial meningitis is usually severe and can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities. It is very important to see a healthcare provider right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis; a doctor can determine if you have the disease, the type of meningitis, and the best treatment. DiagnosisMeningitis can only be diagnosed by doing specific lab tests on specimens from the sick person. If meningitis is suspected, naso-oropharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and serum are collected and sent to the laboratory for testing. TreatmentIn most cases, there is no specific treatment for viral meningitis. Most people who get viral meningitis completely recover on their own within 7 to 10 days. However, people with meningitis caused by certain viruses such as herpesvirus and influenza, may benefit from treatment with an antiviral medication. Antibiotics do not help viral infections, so they are not useful in the treatment of viral meningitis. However, antibiotics are very important when treating bacterial meningitis. Infants and people with weakened immune systems who develop severe illness may need to be hospitalized. PreventionThere are no vaccines to protect against non-polio enteroviruses, which are the most common cause of viral meningitis. You can take the following steps to help lower your chances of getting infected with non-polio enteroviruses or spreading them to other people:
Make sure you and your child are vaccinated on schedule. Some vaccinations can protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, and influenza, that can lead to viral meningitis. Avoid bites from mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases that can infect humans. Control mice and rats. If you have a rodent in and/or around your home, follow the cleaning and control precautions listed on CDC’s website about lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. For more information, click on the link below which will take you to the CDC website: Jeff Porter Superintendent of Schools School Administrative District #51 Cumberland-North Yarmouth, Maine Office: (207) 829-4800 Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuperMSAD51 Read my Blog: http://msad51superintendent.blogspot.com/ |
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