SW health department: students urged to get meningitis vaccines

    Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department encourages youths age 16 to 23 to get their Meningitis B (MenB) vaccination.
    Meningitis is a life-threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infect the blood, brain or spinal cord, said Melissa Propp, RN, Public Health Nurse with SWNPHD.
    It is easily spread in crowded settings such as college dormitories, locker rooms or from kissing an infected person.  Meningitis can be transmitted from a person who looks healthy, Propp added.  
    There are two types of Meningococcal vaccine that protect against several strains of this disease: Meningitis ACWY and Meningitis B.
    “If your child hasn’t gotten their MenACWY and MenB shots previously, ask their doctor or nurse about getting these shots now,” Propp said.  “Meningococcal disease is rare but does occur in the United States, most frequently in college settings.”
    Symptoms of meningitis most commonly are fever, headache and stiff neck, similar to flu-like symptoms. Some people may also have nausea, vomiting, confusion or sensitivity to light.
    Many colleges require a record of meningitis shots to start classes. Those traveling internationally to certain areas of the world, such as countries in Africa in the region known as the Meningitis Belt, may also need these vaccines.
    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, all 11 to 12-year-olds should be vaccinated with a Meningitis ACWY vaccine. A booster dose is recommended at age 16 years. Teens and young adults (16 through 23) should be vaccinated with a Meningitis B vaccine (meningococcal serogroup B).
    Those with questions about meningitis shots or other immunizations can call Propp at 308-345-4223.