Feb 22, 2010
Category: General
Posted by: sjburd57
The news that an Ohio University freshman died this week from a probable case of bacterial meningitis vaulted Cindy Krejny back more than a decade to the loss of her own daughter, Erin.
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Feb 13, 2010
Category: General
Posted by: sjburd57
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Feb 6, 2010
Category: General
Posted by: sjburd57
Prompts Federal Notice About Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia
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Feb 6, 2010
Category: General
Posted by: sjburd57
THE doting mother of a young meningitis victim is to run the London Marathon in a bid to help fight the devastating illness
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Feb 13, 2010
Lori Loughlin, “90210” TV Parent - Urges Vaccination Against Meningitis
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Category: General
Posted by: sjburd57
Lori has joined the National Association of School Nurses as the national spokesperson for Voices of Meningitis, and answered some of our questions about this potentially fatal disease.
HealthNewsDigest.com: Please tell our readers what is meningococcal disease and why should parents be concerned during this time of year?
LL: Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and take the life of a child in just a single day. While parents are concerned about protecting their children from the flu during the winter and early-spring months, they also should know that cases of meningococcal meningitis peak during this time too, and that meningitis vaccination can help protect their child.
This in incredibly important since early signs of meningitis may be similar to flu-like symptoms, making it difficult to recognize as something more serious. That’s why vaccination is so important. The Voices of Meningitis campaign urges parents to talk to their child’s school nurse or health-care provider about meningitis vaccination today.
HND: And what exactly is Voices of Meningitis?
LL: Voices of Meningitis is an educational campaign of the National Association of School Nurses to raise awareness of the dangers of meningococcal meningitis and the importance of prevention. The campaign brings together school nurses, and parents and survivors of the disease who share their personal experiences to help reinforce the importance of vaccination, especially for preteens and teens.
HND: Why did you decide to join as the national spokesperson of Voices of Meningitis campaign?
LL: I really believe that parents need to be aware of meningococcal meningitis and how to protect their children. I consider myself to be a very active parent and I had no idea how devastating meningitis can be or that preteens and teens are at greater risk of getting the disease. Once I learned about the disease and that it could be prevented through vaccination, I had my own children immunized. I joined Voices of Meningitis to encourage parents to be proactive and talk to their child’s school nurse or health-care provider about meningitis vaccination.
HND: How can parents help protect their children from meningococcal meningitis?
LL: Anyone can get meningitis, but preteens and teens are at greater risk for getting the disease and more likely to die from the infection than other age groups. That’s one of the reasons why health officials recommend vaccination for preteens and teens 11 through 18 year of age and college freshmen living in dormitories.
Parents can also encourage their children to avoid sharing glasses, eating utensils, and water bottles – anything that someone has put in or near their mouth – since the disease can be spread this way. But vaccination is the best way to help protect against meningitis, and it’s a safe and effective vaccine.
Knowledge is power and I encourage parents to learn more about meningitis and talk to their child’s school nurse to determine whether vaccination is right for their child. VoicesOfMeningitis.org is a great resource for additional information and includes compelling videos from families that have been personally affected by the disease.
HND: What puts preteens and teens at greater risk for the disease?
LL: Many preteens and teens have weakened immune systems because they stay up late and don’t get enough sleep. Also, everyday activities like kissing, sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils and other items that touch the mouth make them vulnerable because the disease can be spread through saliva. Additionally, kids this age spend a great deal of time in large groups or live in dormitories when they go off to college. This prolonged close contact is also thought to increase the risk of meningococcal meningitis.
To find additional information about meningitis and the campaign, please visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org.
HealthNewsDigest.com: Please tell our readers what is meningococcal disease and why should parents be concerned during this time of year?
LL: Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and take the life of a child in just a single day. While parents are concerned about protecting their children from the flu during the winter and early-spring months, they also should know that cases of meningococcal meningitis peak during this time too, and that meningitis vaccination can help protect their child.
This in incredibly important since early signs of meningitis may be similar to flu-like symptoms, making it difficult to recognize as something more serious. That’s why vaccination is so important. The Voices of Meningitis campaign urges parents to talk to their child’s school nurse or health-care provider about meningitis vaccination today.
HND: And what exactly is Voices of Meningitis?
LL: Voices of Meningitis is an educational campaign of the National Association of School Nurses to raise awareness of the dangers of meningococcal meningitis and the importance of prevention. The campaign brings together school nurses, and parents and survivors of the disease who share their personal experiences to help reinforce the importance of vaccination, especially for preteens and teens.
HND: Why did you decide to join as the national spokesperson of Voices of Meningitis campaign?
LL: I really believe that parents need to be aware of meningococcal meningitis and how to protect their children. I consider myself to be a very active parent and I had no idea how devastating meningitis can be or that preteens and teens are at greater risk of getting the disease. Once I learned about the disease and that it could be prevented through vaccination, I had my own children immunized. I joined Voices of Meningitis to encourage parents to be proactive and talk to their child’s school nurse or health-care provider about meningitis vaccination.
HND: How can parents help protect their children from meningococcal meningitis?
LL: Anyone can get meningitis, but preteens and teens are at greater risk for getting the disease and more likely to die from the infection than other age groups. That’s one of the reasons why health officials recommend vaccination for preteens and teens 11 through 18 year of age and college freshmen living in dormitories.
Parents can also encourage their children to avoid sharing glasses, eating utensils, and water bottles – anything that someone has put in or near their mouth – since the disease can be spread this way. But vaccination is the best way to help protect against meningitis, and it’s a safe and effective vaccine.
Knowledge is power and I encourage parents to learn more about meningitis and talk to their child’s school nurse to determine whether vaccination is right for their child. VoicesOfMeningitis.org is a great resource for additional information and includes compelling videos from families that have been personally affected by the disease.
HND: What puts preteens and teens at greater risk for the disease?
LL: Many preteens and teens have weakened immune systems because they stay up late and don’t get enough sleep. Also, everyday activities like kissing, sharing drinking glasses, eating utensils and other items that touch the mouth make them vulnerable because the disease can be spread through saliva. Additionally, kids this age spend a great deal of time in large groups or live in dormitories when they go off to college. This prolonged close contact is also thought to increase the risk of meningococcal meningitis.
To find additional information about meningitis and the campaign, please visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org.